Berlin 2014 – scientific programme

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P: Fachverband Plasmaphysik

P 24: Laser Plasmas I

P 24.5: Talk

Thursday, March 20, 2014, 15:00–15:15, SPA HS202

Electron dynamics controlled via self-interaction — •Matteo Tamburini, Christoph H. Keitel, and Antonino Di Piazza — Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg, Germany

The dynamics of an electron in a strong laser field can be significantly altered by radiation reaction (RR). This usually results in a strongly damped motion, with the electron losing a large fraction of its initial energy [1]. Here we show that RR effects can provide a route to the control of the electron dynamics via the nonlinear interplay between the Lorentz and the RR force [2]. This is achieved in a setup where an ultrarelativistic electron is exposed to a strong either few-cycle [3] or bichromatic laser pulse. Our simulations for a focused laser pulse show that, already at the intensities achievable with state-of-the-art laser systems, an ultrarelativistic electron colliding head-on with a bichromatic laser pulse can be deflected in an ultrafast and controlled way within a cone of about 8 degrees aperture independently of the initial electron energy as long as quantum effects remain small [2]. Remarkably, at still higher intensities the interplay between the RR and the Lorentz force can even overcome the radiation losses themselves, resulting in a RR assisted electron acceleration instead of damping.

[1] J. Koga et al., Phys. Plasmas 12, 093106 (2005);

A. G. R. Thomas et al., Phys. Rev. X 2, 041004 (2012).

[2] M. Tamburini et al., arXiv:1306.3328 (2013).

[3] M. Tamburini et al., arXiv:1208.0794 (2012).