Quasi-static transverse electric field driven electron acceleration in relativistic laser matter interaction

Abstract

Achieving significant energy gain in laser-driven relativistic electron beams remains challenging due to dephasing between the accelerating laser field and the electrons. We show that transverse electric fields, when aligned with the plane of laser polarization, can mitigate dephasing and enable substantial energy gain without compromising beam directionality. As a practical realization, we propose a two-laser scheme in which one laser generates the transverse field while the other drives electron acceleration. By tailoring the interaction geometry, this configuration sustains phase locking, enhances energy transfer, and opens a pathway toward compact, high-efficiency electron accelerators.