Periodic chirp electron acceleration due to linearly polarized lasers

Abstract

Laser beat wave electron acceleration scheme provides a number of distinct advantages and exciting possibilities in terms of high electron’s energy gain, compact accelerator design, versatility, high repetition rates and fundamental research. In this scheme, two linearly polarized lasers of same amplitude and the frequency have been considered propagating θ and − θ along the z axis with their electric field components in x and z axis respectively. Peak intensity is observed for resultant electric field at the crossing of both lasers at a focal spot. At this focus, constructive interference occurs and resultant beat wave with lesser phase velocity compared to the speed of light is produced. Electron is injected at an angle of δ and trapped by this beat wave and accelerated. In this manuscript, we have applied periodic chirp to the lasers and compared the electron energy with the linear and quadratic chirp. The high energetic electron beam can be utilized to drive compact free-electron lasers, which enable the production of intense and coherent X-ray or gamma-ray radiation for imaging, materials research, and other applications.