An empirical model of collective electrostatic effects for laser-beam channeling in long-scale-length relativistic plasmas
- Laboratory for Laser Energetics, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623 (United States)
This work investigates the capability of ultraintense lasers with irradiance from 10{sup 18} to 10{sup 21} W cm{sup -2} to produce highly energetic electron beams from a Gaussian focus in a low-density plasma. A simple particle simulation code including a physical model of collective electrostatic effects in relativistic plasmas has been developed. Without electrostatic fields, free electrons escape from the Gaussian focal region of a 10-ps petawatt laser pulse very quickly, well before the laser field reaches its maximum amplitude. However, it has been demonstrated that the electrostatic field generated by the electron flow is able to strongly modify the range and direction of the laser-generated MeV electrons by allowing trapped electrons to experience much higher laser-intensity peaks along their trajectories. This modeling predicts some collimation but not enough to meet the requirements of fast ignition.
- OSTI ID:
- 22043408
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 18, Issue 8; Other Information: (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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