Intensity effects on inverse-bremsstrahlung electron acceleration

Abstract

The effects of beam intensity on the laser field on inverse-bremsstrahlung electron acceleration are investigated. A self-consistent Hamiltonian formalism that takes into account both particles and wave dynamics is developed. It is shown that efficient acceleration is achieved for high-density beams. However, for such high densities, beam plasma effects impose a limitation on energy gain. A method is proposed in order to remove the limiting effects. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}