Divergence-free transport of laser-produced fast electrons along a meter-long wire target

We demonstrate that, from a 10-μm metal wire irradiated by a 10(19)  W/cm2 laser pulse, fast electrons form a nearly perfect circular beam around the wire and propagate along it. The total charge and diameter of the electron beam are maintained over a propagation distance of 1 m. Moreover, the electron beam can be guided along a slightly bent wire. Numerical simulations suggest that a relatively weak steady electric field, which does not decay for several nanoseconds, is generated around the wire and plays a key role in the long-distance guidance.