Simple model of the slingshot effect

Abstract

We present a detailed quantitative description of the recently proposed "slingshot effect" [Fiore, Fedele, De angelis 2014]. Namely, we determine a broad range of conditions under which the impact of a very short and intense laser pulse normally onto a low-density plasma (or matter to be locally completely ionized into a plasma by the pulse) causes the expulsion of a bunch of surface electrons in the direction opposite to the one of propagation of the pulse, and the detailed, ready-for-experiments features of the expelled electrons (energy spectrum, collimation, etc). The effect is due to the combined actions of the ponderomotive force and the huge longitudinal field arising from charge separation. Our predictions are based on estimating 3D corrections to a simple, yet powerful plane magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model where the equations to be solved are reduced to a system of Hamilton equations in one dimension (or a collection of) which become autonomous after the pulse has overcome the electrons. Experimental tests seem to be at hand. If confirmed by the latter, the effect would provide a new extraction and acceleration mechanism for electrons, alternative to traditional radio-frequency-based or Laser-Wake-Field ones.

Revtex4.1 file, 14 pages, 10 figures, one table. Final version to appear in Phys. Rev. Acc. Beams. The title has slightly changed to match to the one decided by the editor

References in corpus (3)

• On plane waves in diluted relativistic cold plasmas
• A "slingshot" laser-driven acceleration mechanism of plasma electrons
• Motion of the Plasma Critical Layer During Relativistic-electron Laser Interaction with Immobile and Comoving Ion Plasma for Ion Acceleration

Cited by in corpus (6)

• Travelling waves and a fruitful `time' reparametrization in relativistic electrodynamics
• Hydrodynamic impacts of short laser pulses on plasmas
• On cold diluted plasmas hit by short laser pulses
• Travelling waves and light-front approach in relativistic electrodynamics
• Hydrodynamic regime and cold plasmas hit by short laser pulses
• A preliminary analysis for efficient laser wakefield acceleration