Modeling ultrafast laser-driven ionization dynamics with Monte Carlo collisional particle-in-cell simulations

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 2004 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1814367· OSTI ID:20643943

Kemp, Andreas J; Pfund, Robert E.W.; Meyer-ter-Vehn, Juergen ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89506 (United States)

Ionization dynamics of cold dense matter induced by ultrashort (<100 fs) laser pulses is studied for intensities at the onset of the relativistic regime by one-dimensional kinetic simulations. As a model we use a particle-in-cell code that includes field and electron collisional ionization, as well as elastic binary Coulomb collisions. As examples for the different ionization mechanisms, we give the spatial and temporal evolution of laser-induced ionization dynamics in helium gas and solid boron targets. Special attention is paid to the quasi-static electric fields at the rear surface of laser-irradiated targets that are important for laser-ion acceleration.

• OSTI ID: 20643943
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 11, Issue 12; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1814367; (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BORON
HELIUM
IONIZATION
LASER RADIATION
MONTE CARLO METHOD
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PLASMA SIMULATION
RELATIVISTIC PLASMA