Electron acceleration by an intense short pulse laser in a static magnetic field in vacuum

Electron acceleration by a laser pulse having Gaussian radial and temporal profiles of intensity has been studied in a static magnetic field in vacuum. The starting point of the magnetic field has been taken around the point where the peak of the pulse interacts with the electron and the direction of the static magnetic field is taken to be the same as that of the magnetic field of the laser pulse. The electron gains considerable energy and retains it in the form of cyclotron oscillations even after the passing of the laser pulse in the presence of an optimum static magnetic field. The optimum value of the magnetic field decreases with laser intensity and initial electron energy. The energy gain also depends upon the laser spot size and peaks for a suitable value. The energy gained by the electron increases with laser intensity and initial electron energy. The electron trajectory and energy gain for different parameters such as laser intensity, initial electron energy, and laser spot size have been presented.