Nonlinear Thomson scattering of a relativistic elliptically polarized laser with varied incident pulse widths

Abstract

Within the frame of classical electrodynamics, nonlinear Thomson scattering by a stationary electron of an elliptically polarized tightly focused laser has been investigated. The electron’s trajectory, energy gain, spatial radiation distribution and temporal characteristics are studied. Due to the properties of the elliptically polarized laser pulse, the energy curve is jagged and the trajectory of electrons is in an elliptical spiral shape. It is demonstrated that the net energy gain of the electron is nearly zero in the few-cycle domain, whereas the net energy gain increases as the laser has a larger pulse width. We describe a mechanism of electron energy gain variation during an elliptical polarized laser pulse. Furthermore, with pulse width increases, the spatial radiation distribution has more sets of local maxima and each set has four local maximums. Additionally, the results show that the electron has the potential to generate a single attosecond pulse when the laser has a few-cycle width pulse. The larger the pulse width is, the weaker the maximal radiation power will be.