Polarization-dependent ponderomotive gradient force in a standing wave

P. W. Smorenburg, J.H.M. Kanters, A. Lassise, G.J.H. Brussaard, L.P.J. Kamp, O. J. Luiten

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Abstract

The ponderomotive force is derived for a relativistic charged particle entering an electromagnetic standing wave with a general three-dimensional field distribution and a nonrelativistic intensity, using a perturbation expansion method. It is shown that the well-known ponderomotive gradient force expression does not hold for this situation. The modified expression is still of simple gradient form, but contains additional polarization-dependent terms. These terms arise because the relativistic translational velocity induces a quiver motion in the direction of the magnetic force, which is the direction of large field gradients. Oscillation of the Lorentz factor effectively doubles this magnetic contribution. The derived ponderomotive force generalizes the polarization-dependent electron motion in a standing wave obtained earlier [A. E. Kaplan and A. L. Pokrovsky, Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, p. 053601, 2005]. Comparison with simulations in the case of a realistic, non-idealized, three-dimensional field configuration confirms the general validity of the analytical results.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLaser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Secondary Sources of Radiation and Particles
Place of PublicationBellingham
PublisherSPIE
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9780819486691
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Jul 2011
EventLaser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Secondary Sources of Radiation and Particles - Prague, Czech Republic
Duration: 18 Apr 201120 Apr 2011

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE
Volume8079
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceLaser Acceleration of Electrons, Protons, and Ions; and Medical Applications of Laser-Generated Secondary Sources of Radiation and Particles
Country/TerritoryCzech Republic
CityPrague
Period18/04/1120/04/11

Keywords

  • Kapitza-Dirac effect
  • Polarization
  • Ponderomotive force
  • Ponderomotive scattering
  • Standing wave

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