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First Observation of Ion Acoustic Waves Produced by the Langmuir Decay Instability

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [3]
  1. Laboratoire pour l'Utilisation des Lasers Intenses, UMR 7605 CNRS-Ecole Polytechnique-CEA-Universite Paris VI, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex, (France)
  2. Institute for Laser Science and Applications (ILSA), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O.B. 808, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)
  3. Centre de Physique Theorique, UMR 7644 CNRS-Ecole Polytechnique, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex, (France)
Thomson scattering measurements are presented which demonstrate conclusively the occurrence of the Langmuir decay instability (LDI) in a laser-produced plasma experiment. Both products of the instability, the ion acoustic wave and the electron plasma wave, were simultaneously observed and identified with their spectral characteristics. The secondary decay of the LDI-generated electron plasma wave, into another Langmuir wave and an ion acoustic wave, has been observed for the first time. The connection with growth and saturation of the stimulated Raman instability is discussed. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
OSTI ID:
20215864
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 84; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English