Relativistic Attosecond Electron Bunches from Laser-Illuminated Droplets

TL;DR

This paper reports the observation and analysis of relativistic attosecond electron bunches generated by intense laser interactions with droplets, revealing a mechanism involving local field enhancement at the droplet surface.

Contribution

It introduces a new understanding of electron bunch generation via laser-droplet interactions, highlighting the role of local field enhancement and parameter sensitivity.

Findings

Electron bunches are emitted at angles depending on droplet and laser parameters.

High electron energies are achieved, reaching multi-MeV levels.

The mechanism is explained by a parameter-sensitive, time-dependent local field enhancement.

Abstract

The generation of relativistic attosecond electron bunches is observed in three-dimensional, relativistic particle-in-cell simulations of the interaction of intense laser light with droplets. The electron bunches are emitted under certain angles which depend on the ratios of droplet radius to wavelength and plasma frequency to laser frequency. The mechanism behind the multi-MeV attosecond electron bunch generation is investigated using Mie theory. It is shown that the angular distribution and the high electron energies are due to a parameter-sensitive, time-dependent local field enhancement at the droplet surface.