Electron transport in a nanowire irradiated by an intense laser pulse

Abstract

Electron transport in a nanowire exhibits a distinct behavior following the irradiation of intense laser pulse. Using particle-in-cell simulation, we observe a large-amplitude particle-driven wakefield excitation followed by electron acceleration in the solid density. Besides, we observed the quiver of the electrons across the nanowire under the action of the surrounding laser electric field facilitating deeper wakefield propagation in the nanowire with $2.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}$ energy gain over a flat target. These results open insights into the laser-energy coupling with nanostructure targets and radiation sources, and motivate the wakefield acceleration in solid density plasma.