Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Relativistic focusing allows two collinear short pulse radiation beams, provided they are of sufficiently high power, to propagate through a plasma without diffracting. By further accounting for finite radial beam geometry, it is possible for the phase velocity of the radiation beat (ponderomotive) wave to equal to the speed of light. This removes one of the limiting factors, phase detuning between the accelerated electrons and the beat wave, in determining the maximum energy gain in the plasma beat wave accelerator.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Esarey et al. (1988) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: