Nonlinear Phenomena in Complex Systems, 2007, Vol.10, No.2, pp.145-154

NONLINEAR PHENOMENA IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS
An Interdisciplinary Journal

2007, Vol.10, No.2, pp.145-154

Wakefields in Plasma.
J. T. Mendonça

Electron plasma waves with relativistic phase velocities can be excited by an intense laser pulse propagating in a plasma. They are usually called laser wakefields, because they follow the laser pulse in such a way that their phase velocity equals the laser group velocity. Relativistic wakefields can also be excited by beams of energetic charged particles, such as electrons or protons. These relativistic wakefields share similar features, and can be used as a basis for plasma accelerators. In contrast, low velocity wakefields can be excited by beams of plasmons (the quasi-particles of electron plasma turbulence). They are associated with ion acoustic oscillations, and can lead to anomalous absorption, playing an important role in the fast ignition scenario for inertial fusion. Finally, beams of neutrinos moving in a dense plasma medium can also excite wakefields, as a result of to the weak interactions with the plasma. The present work reviews recent theoretical work on the different types of laser, charged particle, plasmon and neutrino wakefields, trying to extract their similarities as well as to identify their distinctive features.
Key words: electron plasma waves, plasma turbulence, laser wakefields

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