Conversion of dc Fields in a Capacitor Array to Radiation by a Relativistic Ionization Front

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Abstract
A mechanism for generating coherent radiation of high power, variable duration, and broad tunability over several orders of magnitude from a laser-ionized gas-filled capacitor array is described. The scheme directly converts a dc electric field "wave" into a coherent electromagnetic wave train when a relativistic ionization front passes between the plates. The frequency and duration of the radiation is controlled by the gas pressure and/or capacitor spacing. Output frequency and power are calculated and compared to 2D particle-in-cell simulations.