Terahertz field acceleration, angular tuning, and kinetic energy tailoring of ultrashort electron pulses

摘要

We propose an ultrafast, all-optical mechanism utilizing ultrashort terahertz electric field pulses to tailor the kinetic energy and directivity of surface plasmon generated electron pulses. By varying the electric field strength of a single applied terahertz pulse, the angular spread, directivity and peak kinetic energy can be controlled. Further control over the kinetic energy range can be obtained through varying the time delay of a second terahertz electric field pulse with respect to the first. It is also observed that the carrier envelope phase dependency of the kinetic energy is maintained in the presence of a terahertz electric field.