Abstract

The quiver motion of an electron in a high-intensity laser field becomes relativistic (β= v/c ~ 1) at high-field strengths. This relativistic motion can lead to the emission of second and higher harmonics of the laser field¹ and to forward ponderomotive acceleration of the electrons emerging from the laser focus. We will present the first observations of forward ponderomotive acceleration of the electrons born by field ionization at the center of the laser focus.

© 1994 Optical Society of America