title: Measurement of electro-optic shock and electron acceleration in a strongly cavitated laser wakefield accelerator.
abstract: Conically emitted second harmonic radiation was observed when a relativistically intense, ultrashort laser pulse was focused into a jet of gas. This second harmonic electro-optic shock is the result of frequency mixing within the sheath of electrons surrounding a highly cavitated plasma region created by the ponderomotive force of the laser. Strong correlation between the second harmonic characteristics and electron acceleration has been observed.
authors.affiliation: Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Helle
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaganovich
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ting