Production of hot electrons by two-plasmon decay instability in uv laser plasmas

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.864647· OSTI ID:5143799

Villeneuve, D M; Keck, R L; Afeyan, B B; Seka, W; Williams, E A

Hot electron emission from a uv laser produced plasma with incident intensities 8 x 10/sup 13/--2 x 10/sup 15/ W/cm/sup 2/ was measured by means of an electron spectrometer. Because of the small hot electron population, the self-consistent target potential due to escaped electrons may be considered for the first time in the data reduction. The total energy in hot electrons of temperature 50 keV is shown to be < or approx. =10/sup -3/ of the incident laser energy. The target potential < or approx. =80 kV. The hot electron temperature is essentially independent of intensity, the angular distribution of electron emission shows a weak polarization asymmetry, and the intensity threshold of hot electron production is 5 x 10/sup 13/ W/cm/sup 2/, all consistent with the two-plasmon decay instability being responsible for heating the electrons. The predicted spectrum of plasma waves is such that the accelerated electrons should be directed into the plasma almost parallel to the laser axis. Because only a small fraction of these electrons are reflected backwards to the detector, the x-ray yield is a factor of 20 higher than the escaped electrons would indicate.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14623
• DOE Contract Number: AC08-80DP40124
• OSTI ID: 5143799
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 27:3; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ABSORPTION
DECAY INSTABILITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON EMISSION
ELECTRON SPECTROMETERS
EMISSION
ENERGY RANGE
HEATING
HOT PLASMA
INSTABILITY
KEV RANGE
KEV RANGE 10-100
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA WAVES
PLASMONS
POWER
QUASI PARTICLES
RADIATIONS
RESONANCE ABSORPTION
SPECTROMETERS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION