Generation of ultra-intense single-cycle laser pulses by using photon deceleration.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 11752414.
- Also identified by PMC identifier 117508.
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Abstract
A scheme to generate single-cycle laser pulses is presented based on photon deceleration in underdense plasmas. This robust and tunable process is ideally suited for lasers above critical power because it takes advantage of the relativistic self-focusing of these lasers and the nonlinear features of the plasma wake. The mechanism is demonstrated by particle-in-cell simulations in three and 2(1/2) dimensions, resulting in pulse shortening up to a factor of 4, thus making it feasible to generate few-femtosecond single-cycle pulses in the optical to IR domain with intensities I > 10(20) W/cm(2) by using present-day laser technology.
Medical subject headings
- Lasers
- Photons
- Physics