A high power THz radiation source

Abstract

Large amplitude electrostatic (ES) plasma waves are excited in plasma accelerators. By applying a static magnetic field transverse to the propagation direction of the wave, a fraction of the ES wave can be converted into electromagnetic radiation. This process can be described as Cerenkov radiation in a magnetized plasma, and can be used to produce short pulses of high power (i.e. GW) radiation in the THz wavelength range.