Ensemble of ultra-high intensity attosecond pulses from laser-plasma interaction

TL;DR

This paper presents a scheme for generating ultra-high intensity attosecond pulses via laser-plasma interactions, utilizing relativistic flying mirrors to produce a series of energetic, ultra-short electromagnetic pulses.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel method of creating a series of relativistic mirrors in laser-plasma interactions to generate ultra-high intensity attosecond pulses with significant energy gain.

Findings

Generation of ultra-short electromagnetic pulses with frequency up-shift.

Creation of a series of relativistic mirrors in plasma.

Enhanced energy transfer to reflected radiation.

Abstract

The efficient generation of intense X-rays and $\gamma$-radiation is studied. The scheme is based on the relativistic mirror concept, {\it i.e.}, a flying thin plasma slab interacts with a counterpropagating laser pulse, reflecting part of it in the form of an intense ultra-short electromagnetic pulse having an up-shifted frequency. In the proposed scheme a series of relativistic mirrors is generated in the interaction of the intense laser with a thin foil target as the pulse tears off and accelerates thin electron layers. A counterpropagating pulse is reflected by these flying layers in the form of an ensemble of ultra-short pulses resulting in a significant energy gain of the reflected radiation due to the momentum transfer from flying layers.