Overview of laser-plasma accelerators

An overview is given of the concept and basic properties relevant to the laser wakefield accelerator, the plasma beat-wave accelerator, wakefield accelerators driven by multiple laser pulses, and self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator. Recent experimental results are also summarized. Generation mechanism of plasma wave is introduced, as well as the trapping and acceleration of electrons in the plasma wave. Some limits on laser-plasma accelerators are discussed associated with the future prospect of laser-plasma acceleration