Channeling and stability of laser pulses in plasmas
- Beam Physics Branch, Plasma Physics Division Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375-5346 (United States)
A laser pulse propagating in a plasma is found to undergo a combination of hose and modulation instabilities. The coupled equations for the laser beam envelope and centroid are derived and solved for a laser pulse of finite length propagating through either a uniform plasma or preformed plasma density channel. The laser envelope equation describes the pulse self-focusing and optical guiding in plasmas and is used to analyze the self-modulation instability. The laser centroid equation describes the transverse motion of the laser pulse (hosing) in plasmas. Significant coupling between the centroid and envelope motion as well as harmonic generation in the envelope can occur. In addition, the transverse profile of the generated wake field is strongly affected by the laser hose instability. Methods to reduce the laser hose instability are demonstrated. {copyright} 1995 {ital American Institute of Physics}.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- OSTI ID:
- 253382
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940681-; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 96:015366
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 335, Issue 1; Conference: 6. advanced accelerator concepts workshop, Fontana, WI (United States), 13-18 Jun 1994; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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