Theory and simulations of radiation friction induced enhancement of laser-driven longitudinal fields

TL;DR

This paper develops an analytical model and simulations to show how radiation friction significantly enhances laser-driven longitudinal electric fields in plasma, with potential applications in high-power laser experiments.

Contribution

The paper introduces a comprehensive 1D analytical model for radiation friction effects on longitudinal field generation, validated by PIC simulations, and identifies parameter regimes for enhancement.

Findings

Radiation friction enhances longitudinal electric fields in plasma.

The model's predictions are confirmed by 1D and 2D PIC simulations.

High-power lasers like ELI can substantially benefit from this effect.

Abstract

We consider the generation of a quasistatic longitudinal electric field by intense laser pulses propagating in a transparent plasma with radiation friction taken into account. For both circular and linear polarization of the driving pulse we develop a 1D analytical model of the process, which is valid in a wide range of laser and plasma parameters. We define the parameter region where radiation friction results in an essential enhancement of the longitudinal field. The amplitude and the period of the generated longitudinal wave are estimated and optimized. Our theoretical predictions are confirmed by 1D and 2D PIC simulations. We also demonstrate numerically that radiation friction should substantially enhance the longitudinal field generated in a plasma by a 10 PW laser such as ELI Beamlines.