TRAPPING AND ACCELERATION IN SELF-MODULATED LASER WAKEFIELDS

Trapping of plasma electrons in the self-modulated laser wakefield acc elerator via the coupling of Raman backscatter to the wake is examined analytically and with 3D test particle simulations. The trapping thre shold for linear polarization is much less than for circular polarizat ion and occurs for wake amplitudes of 25%, which is well below wave br eaking. Self-channeling provides continuous focusing of the accelerate d electrons, which, along with relativistic pump laser effects, can en hance the energy gain by a factor of greater than or equal to 2.