Plasma Channel Formation and Guiding during High Intensity Short Pulse Laser Plasma Experiments

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Physical Review Letters

OSTI ID:509062

Ting, A; Moore, C I; Burris, H R; Esarey, E; Sprangle, P ^[1]; Krushelnick, K ^[2]; Baine, M ^[3]

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1. Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375 (United States)
2. Laboratory of Plasma Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 (United States)
3. University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093 (United States)

A plasma channel is formed behind a self-guided, subpicosecond, 2TW laser pulse in a hydrogen gas jet plasma. The channel is produced from the radial expulsion of plasma ions due to charge separation created in the displacement (or cavitation) of plasma electrons by the large ponderomotive force of the laser. Using Thomson scattering diagnostics and mode structure measurements, an intense trailing laser pulse (I{approximately}5{times}10{sup 16}W/cm{sup 2}) is observed to be guided throughout the length of this channel for about 20 Rayleigh lengths, approximately equal to the propagation length of the self-guided pump laser pulse. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

• OSTI ID: 509062
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 21 Vol. 78; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
EXPERIMENTAL CHANNELS
FOCUSING
GASES
HYDROGEN
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
JETS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
PLASMA
PULSES
THOMSON SCATTERING
WAVEGUIDES