Alternative analysis of CO/sub 2/-laser-produced plasma waves

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5041448

Simon, A; Short, R W

McIntosh has carried out experiments in which electron plasma waves produced in a gas jet target by a CO/sub 2/ laser pulse were studied by picosecond-resolution Thomson scattering of a ruby laser pulse. In addition, spectra of the scattered laser light and of the fast electron were obtained. Their analysis of the data was based on the assumption that the plasma waves are created by onset of the stimulated Raman scattering instability. This led to a number of difficulties in the interpretation of the data. We show here that an alternative model of the origin of these plasma waves used previously in analyzing Raman data in several other experiments, removes all these difficulties and is in agreement with the data. In this model, the plasma waves are produced by pulses of fast electrons arising at the quarter-critical surface.

• Research Organization: Rochester Univ., NY (USA). Lab. for Laser Energetics
• DOE Contract Number: FC08-85DP40200
• OSTI ID: 5041448
• Report Number(s): DOE/DP/40200-69; ON: DE88008434
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
GAS LASERS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
PLASMA
PLASMA WAVES
RAMAN EFFECT