Quantum mechanics

Waves in plasmas

Gaussian

Beam (structure)

Nuclear physics

M squared

Atomic physics

Plasma

Excitation

Gaussian beam

Laser

Physics

Plasma acceleration

Laser beams

Optics

Electromagnetic electron wave

Ponderomotive force

Beam parameter product

Laser beam quality

Cathode ray

Acceleration

Electron

Physics of Plasmas

In this paper, we theoretically study the propagation dynamics of a q-Gaussian laser beam in a plasma by considering the relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearities. The q-Gaussian laser beam exhibits unique characteristics while interacting with the plasma. The q-Gaussian laser beam redistributes the plasma density in a different way, which affects the laser self-focusing. A comparative study of the self-focusing for Gaussian and q-Gaussian laser beams is reported. The results obtained from numerical analysis reveal a stronger self-focusing of the q-Gaussian laser beam in plasmas, which is desirable to excite a large amplitude plasma wave for electron acceleration by extending the interaction length. We then extended this study to investigate the electron plasma wave excitation by the q-Gaussian laser beam. The electron plasma wave is driven more efficiently by the q-Gaussian laser beam. Our results show that the electron plasma wave field intensity enhances more than twofold for the q-Gaussian laser beam in comparison with the case of a Gaussian laser beam. The electron plasma wave excited by a q-Gaussian beam can accelerate the plasma electrons to higher energies. Numerical results are presented for the established set of laser and plasma parameters.

Electron plasma wave excitation by a q-Gaussian laser beam and subsequent electron acceleration