The angular dependence of the absorption of 0. 35. mu. m laser light by high- Z , laser-produced plasmas

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Physics of Fluids B; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859776· OSTI ID:5126093

Drake, R P; Kauffman, R L; Lasinski, B F; Cable, M D; Suter, L J; Ze, F ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California (USA)

Experiments to study the angular dependence of laser-light absorption in long-scale-length, planar plasmas are reported. Flat-topped, 1 nsec pulses of 0.35 {mu}m laser light, with up to 2.5 kJ at average laser intensities of 3{times}10{sup 13} to 6{times}10{sup 15} W/cm{sup 2}, were used to irradiate thick, gold targets at angles of incidence of 0{degree} to {gt}50{degree}. The scattered light was measured using a number of diagnostics, and the absorption was inferred from these measurements. The absorption decreased somewhat with increasing laser intensity, typically remaining above 90% for laser intensities below 10{sup 15} W/cm{sup 2}, and was very weakly dependent upon the angle of incidence. Modeling of the reflected light was used to constrain the properties of the plasma and of the reflecting mechanism. No simple model of a single mechanism is consistent with all aspects of the data.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5126093
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (United States), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (United States) Vol. 3:12; ISSN PFBPE; ISSN 0899-8221
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700101* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Confinement
Heating
& Production
ABSORPTION
ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION
COLLISIONAL PLASMA
DISTRIBUTION
ELEMENTS
GOLD
IRRADIATION PROCEDURES
LASER FUSION REACTORS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LIGHT SCATTERING
METALS
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PULSE TECHNIQUES
REFLECTION
SCATTERING
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS