Lawson–Woodward theorem
The Lawson–Woodward theorem[1] is a physics theorem about particle acceleration with electromagnetic wave. This theorem roughly states that an electromagnetic plane wave can not provide a net acceleration to an ultra-relativistic charged particle in vacuum. This is a theoretical limitation to particle acceleration, especially for laser-based electron accelerator.[2] Any laser-based particle accelerator should then break at least one of the hypotheses of the Lawson–Woodward theorem to be physically possible[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Lawson-Woodward theorem. USPAS Lecture Note from A. Chao " (PDF).
- ^ a b Esarey, E.; Schroeder, C. B.; Leemans, W. P. (2009-08-27). "Physics of laser-driven plasma-based electron accelerators". Reviews of Modern Physics. 81 (3): 1229–1285. Bibcode:2009RvMP...81.1229E. doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.81.1229.