Control over the space-time structure of electron beams by high-intensity femtosecond laser radiation

摘要

The space-velocity distribution of electrons propagating in vacuum can be deformed by the ponderomotive potential produced by high-intensity femtosecond laser pulses, which makes it possible to subsequently separate such electrons from the initial beam. It is shown that optical modification of electron beams with kinetic energies on the order of 100 eV by femtosecond laser radiation with an intensity from 10~(14) to 10~(18) W/cm~2 makes it possible to form electron beams with a duration on the order of 50-100 fs. Examples of optical control over the shape of electron beams, based on deflection, reflection, focusing, and splitting of electron beams, are considered.