Electron self-injection for the acceleration in laser-pulse-wakes in the presence of a `strong' external magnetic field

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a strong external magnetic field influences electron self-injection in laser wakefield acceleration, showing that magnetic field strength can control the charge loaded during acceleration.

Contribution

It demonstrates through simulations that a 10T magnetic field alters electron self-injection dynamics and allows control over the charge in laser wakefield acceleration.

Findings

Magnetic field modifies electron motion near wave maxima.

Magnetic field strength influences wake wave-breaking.

Charge in acceleration phase can be controlled by magnetic field.

Abstract

An external static magnetic field with its strength B~10T may result in the laser wake wave-breaking upon changing the electron motion in the vicinity of maximal density ramp of a wave period. This, as shown by numerical simulations, can change the resonance character of the electron self-injection in the laser wake-field; a total charge loaded in the acceleration phase of laser pulse wake can be controlled by a proper choice of the magnetic field strength.