The slingshot effect: a possible new laser-driven high energy acceleration mechanism for electrons

TL;DR

This paper proposes the 'slingshot effect', a novel laser-driven mechanism where intense laser pulses expel high-energy electrons from plasma surfaces, offering an alternative to existing electron acceleration methods.

Contribution

It introduces the 'slingshot effect' as a new electron acceleration mechanism driven by laser pulses impacting plasma, supported by theoretical analysis and feasibility considerations.

Findings

High-energy electron expulsion observed under specific laser-plasma conditions

The effect relies on combined ponderomotive and charge separation fields

Experimental validation of the effect is feasible with current technology

Abstract

We show that under appropriate conditions the impact of a very short and intense laser pulse onto a plasma causes the expulsion of surface electrons with high energy in the direction opposite to the one of propagation of the pulse. This is due to the combined effects of the ponderomotive force and the huge longitudinal field arising from charge separation ("slingshot effect"). The effect should also be present with other states of matter, provided the pulse is sufficiently intense to locally cause complete ionization. An experimental test seems to be feasible and, if confirmed, would provide a new extraction and acceleration mechanism for electrons, alternative to traditional radio-frequency-based or Laser-Wake-Field ones.