Random field effects on electron acceleration in crossed laser beams

Abstract

By numerical modeling of the test particle motion of an ensemble of relativistic electrons in a longitudinal laser wakefield, we show in the present contribution that a strong enhancement of electron acceleration and trapping in the wakefield arises in the presence of a perpendicularly propagating transverse laser beam. Effects of spontaneously arising random fields on the acceleration are explored. Electrons are also strongly accelerated in such wakefields where trapping and acceleration would not be possible without the presence of the transverse laser beam. The maximum energy of accelerated electrons grows almost linearly with time.