Nonlinear pulse propagation and phase velocity of laser-driven plasma waves

Journal Article · Fri Mar 25 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.135002· OSTI ID:1013067

Schroeder, Carl B; Benedetti, Carlo; Esarey, Eric; Leemans, Wim

Laser evolution and plasma wave excitation by a relativistically-intense short-pulse laser in underdense plasma are investigated in the broad pulse limit, including the effects of pulse steepening, frequency red-shifting, and energy depletion. The nonlinear plasma wave phase velocity is shown to be significantly lower than the laser group velocity and further decreases as the pulse propagates owing to laser evolution. This lowers the thresholds for trapping and wavebreaking, and reduces the energy gain and efficiency of laser-plasma accelerators that use a uniform plasma profile.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: Accelerator& Fusion Research Division
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 1013067
• Report Number(s): LBNL-4439E
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ACCELERATORS
EFFICIENCY
EXCITATION
LASERS
PHASE VELOCITY
PLASMA
PLASMA WAVES
TRAPPING
VELOCITY