2-D PIC Laser Beat Wave Simulations Near Critical Density*

 LWFA was first proposed by Tajima and Dawson in 1979 where they theorized that a laser pulse with a pulse width near the plasma wavelength (p) and intensities of 1018 W/cm2 could create electric field gradients of GV/cm. As a substitute for an ultrashort laser pulse, we will simulate wakefields that are excited via the nonlinear Laser Beat Wave (BW) process. It was shown that BW acceleration near the critical density allows for accelerated electrons to higher keV energies despite smaller intensities, such as 1014 W/cm2. This is done through the low-phase velocity dynamics of wakefields that are excited in near-critical density plasmas. Near-Critical Density Laser BW Acceleration displays various potential applications that include but are not limited to high-dose radiation therapy. We will look into low-intensity (non-relativistic) and high-intensity (relativistic) BW acceleration at near-critical densities.

In this project, we will computationally investigate the 2D effects of near-critical density  Laser Beat-Wave (BW) acceleration in non-relativistic and relativistic regimes. The significance of this research is to further understand the nonlinear effects of these processes so that they can be shown to be practical in applications.  In the low-intensity, non-relativistic regime (<1015 W/cm2) there are possibilities for applications in radiation therapy and other medical treatments. For the high intensities, relativistic regime (>1015 W/cm2) there are applications for high energy electron and ion acceleration.