Amplitude saturation effect of a laser-driven plasma beat-wave on electron accelerations

Abstract

A large-amplitude plasma beat-wave driven by two lasers (differing in frequencies equal to the plasma frequency) can accelerate the plasma electrons to a higher energy level. As the plasma beat-wave grows, it becomes susceptible to oscillating two-stream instability. The decayed sideband plasma wave couples with the pump wave to divert its energy by the instability, and saturates it. The saturated amplitude of the plasma beat-wave traps the electrons more effectively to accelerate them to higher energy. The saturation of plasma beat-wave amplitude is shown to have a significant effect in an electron energy gain.