Characterization of electron self-injection in laser wake field acceleration due to the parametric resonance

The wave-breaking processes originating from a parametric resonance in the wake of a laser pulse in the absence of pulse overfocusing are thoroughly analyzed via multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations. The processes play a key role in the electron self-injection in the laser-driven acceleration of high energy, monoenergetic electrons in plasma channels. The resonance character of the charge loading in the first, second, and third injections is shown; its effect on the electron acceleration is demonstrated.