Polarization-dependent ponderomotive gradient force in a standing wave

P. W. Smorenburg; J. H. M. Kanters; A. Lassise; G. J. H. Brussaard; L. P. J. Kamp; O. J. Luiten

doi:10.1117/12.888861

25 May 2011 Polarization-dependent ponderomotive gradient force in a standing wave

P. W. Smorenburg, J. H. M. Kanters, A. Lassise, G. J. H. Brussaard, L. P. J. Kamp, O. J. Luiten

Proceedings Volume 8079, Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Secondary Sources of Radiation and Particles; 80790Z (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.888861
Event: SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics, 2011, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

The ponderomotive force is derived for a relativistic charged particle entering an electromagnetic standing wave with a general three-dimensional field distribution and a nonrelativistic intensity, using a perturbation expansion method. It is shown that the well-known ponderomotive gradient force expression does not hold for this situation. The modified expression is still of simple gradient form, but contains additional polarization-dependent terms. These terms arise because the relativistic translational velocity induces a quiver motion in the direction of the magnetic force, which is the direction of large field gradients. Oscillation of the Lorentz factor effectively doubles this magnetic contribution. The derived ponderomotive force generalizes the polarization-dependent electron motion in a standing wave obtained earlier [A. E. Kaplan and A. L. Pokrovsky, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, p. 053601, 2005]. Comparison with simulations in the case of a realistic, non-idealized, three-dimensional field configuration confirms the general validity of the analytical results.

Citation Download Citation

P. W. Smorenburg, J. H. M. Kanters, A. Lassise, G. J. H. Brussaard, L. P. J. Kamp, and O. J. Luiten "Polarization-dependent ponderomotive gradient force in a standing wave", Proc. SPIE 8079, Laser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Secondary Sources of Radiation and Particles, 80790Z (25 May 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.888861

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available