Propagation of intense, ultrashort laser pulses through preionized plasma slabs

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part B: Optical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.14.000437· OSTI ID:450289

Bolton, P R; Ritchie, B ^[1]

---

1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94551 (United States)

Relativistic self-focusing and channel formation induced by intense, ultrashort laser pulses in preionized targets is modeled for accessible experimental parameters. The stability of channel formation is limited by the nonparaxiality of the laser beam in regions of tight self-focusing. This issue is examined with recently developed nonparaxial theory. Channel formation is also characterized in terms of the transmitted pulse spectrum, the transmitted laser intensity profile, and the radial electron density distribution. Calculations indicate a signature spectral shift in transmission biased toward longer wavelengths, which is attributed to the rapid expulsion of electrons away from the propagation axis.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 450289
• Journal Information: Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part B: Optical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of the Optical Society of America, Part B: Optical Physics Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 14; ISSN JOBPDE; ISSN 0740-3224
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
IONIZATION
LASER RADIATION
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
NONLINEAR OPTICS
PULSE TECHNIQUES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
X-RAY LASERS