This talk will present our recent results on charged particle dynamics in relativistic beam- and laser-driven plasmas.
In the first half, we will discuss novel regimes of the relativistic current filamentation instability (CFI) [1]. CFI is a crucial collective behavior that governs various plasma systems. In the laboratory, CFI modifies energy deposition in inertial confinement fusion and constrains the efficiency of plasma-based accelerators. On astrophysical scale, CFI can mediate the internal structure of collisionless shocks, which are associated with supernova remnants and gamma-ray bursts. Understanding the fundamental laws of CFI would help explain the origin of high-energy cosmic particles [2] and realize tunable beam-based light sources.
In the second half, we will show a new mechanism of charged particle acceleration enabled by a flying-focused laser pulse [3]. The flying focus technique has been used to create a focal spot with tunable velocity by combining a chromatic focus with a chirped pulse. Spatiotemporal control over a pulse’s focal position can improve the performance of laser-driven plasma applications, including stimulated Raman amplification, laser photon acceleration, generation of terahertz sources, and laser wakefield electron acceleration. This spatiotemporally tailored flying focus can stimulate collective plasma behaviors in a controllable way to co-move with the accelerated particles, potentially addressing the challenge of synchronization in plasma-based accelerators.
[1] Z. Gong, et al., Physical Review Letters 130 (1), 015101 (2023)
[2] Z. Gong, et al., Physical Review Letters 131 (22), 225101 (2023)
[3] Z. Gong, et al., in preparation

current filamentation instability,charged particle acceleration,beam-driven plasma,laser-driven plasma