title: Ion response to relativistic electron bunches in the blowout regime of laser-plasma accelerators.
abstract: The ion response to relativistic electron bunches in the so called bubble or blowout regime of a laser-plasma accelerator is discussed. In response to the strong fields of the accelerated electrons the ions form a central filament along the laser axis that can be compressed to densities 2 orders of magnitude higher than the initial particle density. A theory of the filament formation and a model of ion self-compression are proposed. It is also shown that in the case of a sharp rear plasma-vacuum interface the ions can be accelerated by a combination of three basic mechanisms. The long time ion evolution that results from the strong electrostatic fields of an electron bunch provides a unique diagnostic of laser-plasma accelerators.
authors.affiliation: Theoretical Physics Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2J1, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Popov
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rozmus
authors.forename: V Yu
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Bychenkov
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naseri
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Capjack
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Brantov