Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
11:33
All-electronic Nanosecond-resolved Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Facilitating the Investigation of Single Dopant Charge Dynamics
Published on: January 19, 2018
10.3K
Mapping the Damping Dynamics of Mega-Ampere Electron Pulses Inside a Solid
Moniruzzaman Shaikh1, Amit D Lad1, Gabriele Birindelli2
1Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, 1 Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai 400005, India.
Physical Review Letters
|February 27, 2018
Summary
Relativistic electron pulses generated by intense lasers persist in solids for 50 picoseconds, significantly longer than the laser pulse itself. This extended lifetime of high-energy electrons was confirmed using Cherenkov emission measurements and simulations.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Laser-driven electron acceleration
- Solid-state physics
Background:
- Intense lasers can generate relativistic electrons in solids.
- Understanding the lifetime of these electron pulses is crucial for applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the lifetime of relativistic electron pulses generated by intense lasers in solids.
- To investigate the factors influencing the duration of relativistic electron behavior.
Main Methods:
- Measuring Cherenkov emission from relativistic electrons.
- Utilizing picosecond resolution optical Kerr gating.
- Performing numerical simulations with the Monte Carlo geant4 package.
Main Results:
- Relativistic electron pulses were observed to last up to 50 picoseconds.
- This lifetime is over 1000 times longer than the incident laser pulse duration.
- Experimental findings were accurately reproduced by numerical simulations.
Conclusions:
- Relativistic electrons generated by intense lasers have a surprisingly long lifetime in solids.
- Cherenkov emission is a viable method for probing electron pulse dynamics.
- Simulations support the experimental observations of extended electron lifetimes.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Ampere's Law
4.9K
A fundamental property of a static magnetic field is that it is not conservative, unlike an electrostatic field. Instead, there is a relationship between the magnetic field and its source, electric current. Mathematically, this is expressed in terms of the line integral of the magnetic field, which is also known as Ampère’s law. It is valid only if the currents are steady and no magnetic materials or time-varying electric fields are present.
Ampère's law states that for any...
Ampère's law states that for any...
4.9K
02:37Metallic Solids
20.9K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
20.9K
02:18Network Covalent Solids
16.2K
Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
16.2K
01:07Damped Oscillations
7.4K
In the real world, oscillations seldom follow true simple harmonic motion. A system that continues its motion indefinitely without losing its amplitude is termed undamped. However, friction of some sort usually dampens the motion, so it fades away or needs more force to continue. For example, a guitar string stops oscillating a few seconds after being plucked. Similarly, one must continually push a swing to keep a child swinging on a playground.
Although friction and other non-conservative...
Although friction and other non-conservative...
7.4K
01:20Types of Damping
7.8K
If the amount of damping in a system is gradually increased, the period and frequency start to become affected because damping opposes, and hence slows, the back and forth motion (the net force is smaller in both directions). If there is a very large amount of damping, the system does not even oscillate; instead, it slowly moves toward equilibrium. In brief, an overdamped system moves slowly towards equilibrium, whereas an underdamped system moves quickly to equilibrium but will oscillate about...
7.8K
01:17Magnetic Damping
1.1K
Eddy currents can produce significant drag on motion, called magnetic damping. For instance, when a metallic pendulum bob swings between the poles of a strong magnet, significant drag acts on the bob as it enters and leaves the field, quickly damping the motion.
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
If, however, the bob is a slotted metal plate, the magnet produces a much smaller effect. When a slotted metal plate enters the field, an emf is induced by the change in flux; however, it is less effective because the slots limit the...
1.1K