Leaky surface plasmon-based wakefield acceleration in nanostructured carbon nanotubes

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel method for particle acceleration using surface plasmons in nanostructured carbon nanotubes, achieving high field amplitudes and efficient acceleration of electrons and positrons with potential for compact accelerators.

Contribution

It introduces a new mechanism of wakefield acceleration driven by leaky surface plasmons in CNTs, distinct from traditional gaseous plasma methods, and demonstrates its feasibility through numerical simulations.

Findings

Achieves TV/m-level wakefield amplitudes in CNT structures.

Demonstrates efficient acceleration of electrons and positrons.

Feasible electron injection mechanisms with current laser technology.

Abstract

Metallic carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can provide ultra-dense, homogeneous plasma capable of sustaining resonant plasma waves-known as plasmons-with ultra-high field amplitudes. These waves can be efficiently driven by either high-intensity laser pulses or high-density relativistic charged particle beams. In this study, we use numerical simulations to propose that electrons and positrons can be accelerated in wakefields generated by the leaky electromagnetic field of surface plasmons. These plasmons are excited when a high-intensity optical laser pulse propagates paraxially through a cylindrical vacuum channel structured within a CNT forest. The wakefield is stably sustained by a non-evanescent longitudinal field with $\si{TV/m}$-level amplitudes. This mechanism differs significantly from the plasma wakefield generation in uniform gaseous plasmas. Traveling at the speed of light in vacuum, with phase-matched focusing fields, the wakefield acceleration is highly efficient for both electron and positron beams. We also examine two potential electron injection mechanisms: edge injection and self-injection. Both mechanisms are feasible with current laser facilities, paving the way for experimental realization. Beyond presenting a promising pathway toward ultra-compact, high-energy solid-state plasma particle accelerators, this work also expands the potential of high-energy plasmonics.