STUDIES OF CLASSICAL RADIATION EMISSION FROM PLASMA-WAVE UNDULATORS

We examine the characteristics of the classical radiation emitted by a relativistic electron beam that propagates perpendicularly through a large amplitude relativistic plasma wave. Such a study is useful for e valuating the feasibility of using relativistic plasma waves as extrem ely short wavelength undulators for generating short wavelength radiat ion. The electron trajectories in a plasma wave undulator are obtained using perturbation techniques and are then compared to numerical simu lation results. The frequency spectrum and angular distribution of the spontaneous radiation emitted by a single electron and the stimulated radiation gain are obtained analytically, and are then compared to 3- D numerical simulations. The characteristics of the plasma wave undula tor are compared to the ac FEL undulator and the conventional FEL.