Electronic edition ISSN 1574-0579

Quantum effects on the axial wakefield and electron number density perturbation in laser wakefield acceleration

Y. Fan , J. Zhu

School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China

Abstract
Laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) is an important mechanism for particle acceleration, enabling plasma electrons to achieve extremely high energy over ultrashort distance. In this work, we primarily investigate the impact of quantum effects on the axial wakefield and electron number density of the laser wakefield. We consider the Bohm potential, electron exchange-correlation effects, and vacuum polarization in high-density plasmas. Using the relativistic quantum hydrodynamic model and the Poisson equation, expressions for the axial wakefield and the perturbation of electron number density are derived. Comparisons with classical results reveal that quantum effects significantly alter the phase of the perturbation of electron number density and the axial wakefield. Figs 5, Refs 26.