A Basic Study of Plasma Waves/Electromagnetic Waves/Electron Beam Interactions

Plasma waves are capable of producing accelerating electric fields greater than what is capable by conventional radiofrequency accelerators. In order to understand plasma waves better non-intrusive diagnostics are needed. Intersecting a low energy electron beam perpendicular to a plasma wave has been suggested as a non-disturbing diagnostic. Simulations conveying an electron beam traversing a plasma wave will be presented. The plasma wave was created using the beat-wave technique; therefore, an electron beam traversing residual laser fields will be included the analysis. Inherent electron beam properties such spot size and beam energy will be examined. This will be accomplished by crossing a low energy Helium Neon laser with the previously mentioned electron beam. These simulations are used to imitate a laboratory experiment. The experiment employs a 5 Joule CO2 laser to create the plasma wave and 5-50 keV electron beam to diagnose the plasma wave.