Jian-Xing Li

Vacuum electron acceleration driven by two crossed Airy beams

Using numerical simulation, we have studied in detail vacuum electron acceleration driven by two crossed Airy beams with identical characteristics except for opposite accelerating directions. An electron injected along the longitudinal central axis is only affected by the combined longitudinal electric field. In addition, a suitable crossed Airy beams scheme is more beneficial to the energy gain of an electron than the single Airy beam acceleration scheme [Opt. Lett. 35, 3258 (2010)]. Meanwhile, the cross angle, the injection energy of the electron, and the initial phase of the Airy beams play significant roles in the energy gain of the electron.

Vacuum electron acceleration driven by a tightly focused radially polarized Gaussian beam.

Electron acceleration in vacuum driven by a tightly focused radially polarized Gaussian beam has been studied in detail. Weniger transformation method is used to eliminate the divergence of the radially polarized electromagnetic field derived from the Lax series approach. And, electron dynamics in an intense radially polarized Gaussian beam is analyzed by using the Weniger transformation field. The roles of the initial phase of the electromagnetic field and the injection angle, position and energy of electron in energy gain of electron have been studied in detail.

Simulation of Gaussian laser beams and electron dynamics by Weniger transformation method

For an electron accelerated by a tightly focused Gaussian laser beam, its dynamics are usually simulated through the field obtained by Lax approach [Phys. Rev. A 11, 1365 (1975)]. However, as Lax series field (LSF) is not always convergent, the obtained results are usually inaccurate and even illogical. Here we report that the divergence of LSF can be eliminated by using Weniger transformation, and the electron dynamics simulated by this new field are logical and accurate.

Acceleration of electrons by a tightly focused intense laser beam

The recent proposal to use Weinger transformation field (WTF) [Opt. Express 17, 4959-4969 (2009)] for describing tightly focused laser beams is investigated here in detail. In order to validate the accuracy of WTF, we derive the numerical field (NF) from the plane wave spectrum method. WTF is compared with NF and Lax series field (LSF). Results show that LSF is accurate close to the beam axis and divergent far from the beam axis, and WTF is always accurate. Moreover, electron dynamics in a tightly focused intense laser beam are simulated by LSF, WTF and NF, respectively. The results obtained by WTF are shown to be accurate.

Analysis of electron capture acceleration channel in an Airy beam

Using numerical simulation, we have studied in detail vacuum electron acceleration induced by an Airy beam. The phase of the field varies slowly, and the intensity of the field is independent of the decaying parameter of the beam in the asymmetric field channel [(AFC) Opt. Express 18, 7300 (2010)] formed by the Airy beam. Results show that an electron entering into the AFC may be captured and gain high energy. Meanwhile, the decaying parameter, injection energy, and injection angle of the electron play important roles in the electron energy gain.

Angle-resolved stochastic photon emission in the quantum radiation-dominated regime

Signatures of stochastic effects in the radiation of a relativistic electron beam interacting with a counterpropagating superstrong short focused laser pulse are investigated in a quantum regime when the electron’s radiation dominates its dynamics. We consider the electron-laser interaction at near-reflection conditions when pronounced high-energy gamma-ray bursts arise in the backward-emission direction with respect to the initial motion of the electrons. The quantum stochastic nature of the gamma-photon emission is exhibited in the angular distributions of the radiation and explained in an intuitive picture. Although, the visibility of the stochasticity signatures depends on the laser and electron beam parameters, the signatures are of a qualitative nature and robust. The stochasticity, a fundamental quantum property of photon emission, should thus be measurable rather straightforwardly with laser technology available in near future.

Attosecond gamma-ray pulses and angle-resolved-stochastic photon emission in the quantum-radiation-dominated regime (Conference Presentation)

We demonstrate the feasibility of generation of bright ultrashort gamma-ray pulses and the signatures of stochastic photon emission via the interaction of a relativistic electron bunch with a counterpropagating tightly-focused superstrong laser beam in the quantum-radiation-dominated regime. We consider the electron-laser interaction at near-reflection conditions when pronounced high-energy gamma-ray bursts arise in the backward-emission direction with respect to the initial motion of the electrons. The Compton scattering spectra of gamma-radiation are investigated using a semiclassical description for the electron dynamics in the laser field and a quantum electrodynamical description for the photon emission. We demonstrate the feasibility of ultrashort gamma-ray bursts of hundreds of attoseconds and of dozens of megaelectronvolt photon energies in the near-backwards direction of the initial electron motion. The tightly focused laser field structure and radiation reaction are shown to be responsible for such short gamma-ray bursts, which are independent of the durations of the electron bunch and of the laser pulse. Moreover, the quantum stochastic nature of the gamma-photon emission is exhibited in the angular distributions of the radiation and explained in an intuitive picture. Although, the visibility of the stochasticity signatures depends on the laser and electron beam parameters, the signatures are of a qualitative nature and robust. The stochasticity, a fundamental quantum property of photon emission, should thus be measurable rather straightforwardly with laser technology available in near future.