Sub-structure of laser generated harmonics reveals plasma dynamics of a relativistically oscillating mirror

Journal Article · Thu Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2013 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4817807· OSTI ID:22220667

Braenzel, J.; Schnürer, M.; Steinke, S.; Priebe, G.; Sandner, W. ^[1]; Andreev, A. ^[1]; Platonov, K. ^[2]

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1. Max-Born-Institut für Nichtlineare Optik und Kurzzeitspektroskopie, Max Born Str. 2A, 12489 Berlin (Germany)
2. Vavilov State Optical Institute, Birzhevaya line 4, 199034 St. Petersburg (Russian Federation)

Theoretical and experimental investigations of the dynamics of a relativistically oscillating plasma slab reveal spectral line splitting in laser driven harmonic spectra, leading to double harmonic series. Both series are well characterized with harmonics arising by two fundamental frequencies. While a relativistic oscillation of the critical density drives the harmonic emission, the splitting is a result of an additional acceleration during the laser pulse duration. In comparison with the oscillatory movement, this acceleration is rather weak and can be described by a plasma shock wave driven by the pressure of light. We introduce particle in cell simulations and an analytical model explaining the harmonic line splitting. The derived analytical formula gives direct access between the splitting in the harmonic spectrum and the acceleration of the plasma surface.

• OSTI ID: 22220667
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 20, Issue 8; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ACCELERATION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EMISSION
HARMONICS
LASERS
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
MIRRORS
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA SIMULATION
PLASMA WAVES
RELATIVISTIC PLASMA
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SHOCK WAVES
SPECTRA