Observation of a strong correlation between electromagnetic soliton formation and relativistic self-focusing for ultra-short laser pulses propagating through an under-dense plasma

Journal Article · Mon Oct 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4757982· OSTI ID:22068808

Bin, Zhu; Yuchi, Wu; Kegong, Dong; Wei, Hong; Jian, Teng; Weimin, Zhou; Leifeng, Cao; Yuqiu, Gu ^[1]

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1. Science and Technology on Plasma Physics Laboratory, Laser Fusion Research Center, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang (China)

A strong correlation is observed between the formation of electromagnetic solitons, generated during the interaction of a short intense laser pulse (30 fs, {approx}10{sup 18} W/cm{sup 2}) with a rarefied (<0.1n{sub c}) plasma, and pulse self-focusing. Pulse defocusing, which occurs after soliton generation, results in laser-pulse energy depletion. The role of stimulated Raman scattering in soliton generation is analyzed from 2D particle-in-cell simulations. An observed relationship between initial plasma density and soliton generation is presented that might have relevance to wake-field accelerators.

• OSTI ID: 22068808
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 19, Issue 10; Other Information: (c) 2012 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
CORRELATIONS
FOCUSING
LASER RADIATION
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA SIMULATION
PULSES
RAMAN EFFECT
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SOLITONS
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
WAKEFIELD ACCELERATORS