Nonlinear interaction of charged particles with strong laser pulses in a magnetic undulator

Abstract

Laser acceleration due to the nonlinear-threshold phenomena of charged particle “reflection” and capture by slowed wave in a magnetic undulator is considered. The obtained numerical results prove the particle reflection and capture phenomena in the field of actual laser pulses with temporal and space profiles which lead to the particles acceleration. In contrast to the reflection regime where particle acceleration takes place already at the constant undulator step, in the capture regime it is necessary to increase adiabatically the undulator step along the laser pulse propagation direction by the certain self-consistent variation law corresponding to acceleration rate.