Field structure and electron acceleration in a laser beam of a high-order Hermite-Gaussian mode

Abstract

We analyze the axial electric field intensity distribution and the phase velocity distribution of high-order Hermite-Gaussian (HG) mode laser beams. Using a three-dimensional test particle simulation, the numerical results of electrons accelerated by Hermite-Gaussian (0,0), and (3,0) mode laser beams are presented. It is established that electrons can be more favorably captured and accelerated in an odd high-order Hermite-Gaussian mode laser beam.