Laser Gate: Multi-MeV electron acceleration and zeptosecond e-bunching

TL;DR

This paper introduces a laser gate technique that enables multi-MeV electron acceleration and zeptosecond electron bunching through inelastic scattering in intense laser fields.

Contribution

It presents a novel method for electron acceleration and ultrafast electron bunching using relativistically intense laser beams with large field gradients.

Findings

Achieves multi-MeV electron acceleration per laser pass.

Demonstrates potential for zeptosecond electron bunching.

Shows inelastic scattering in low-gradient fields can produce ultra-tight temporal focusing.

Abstract

Relativistically-intense laser beam with large field gradient ("laser gate") enables strong inelastic scattering of electrons crossing the beam. This process allows for multi-MeV electron net acceleration per pass within the wavelength space. Inelastic scattering even in low-gradient laser field may also induce extremely tight temporal focusing and electron bunch formation down to quantum, zepto-second limit.