Excitation of ultrarelativistic plasma waves by pulse of electromagnetic radiation
Bulanov S. V. , Kirsanov V. I., Sakharov A. S.
The excitation of plasma waves by a relativistically intense pulse of electromagnetic radiation is shown to depend strongly on the rise time of the pulse. The characteristics of the excited wave are determined. The evolution of the pulse itself is studied. The possible acceleration of particles by the field of the longitudinal wave which is excited is discussed. The increased interest in the excitation of fast plasma waves in a plasma is a result the present effort to develop laser methods for accelerating particles, which would characterized by an exceedingly high acceleration rate.1 The most experimental and :oretical progress is being achieved in the development of beat-wave accelerators,2 ;h two-frequency laser pulses. Because of several difficulties associated with the