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Title: Numerical simulations of induced spatial incoherence laser light self-focusing

Abstract

The effect of induced spatial incoherence (ISI) on laser light self-focusing is investigated using a two-dimensional Eulerian hydrodynamic plasma simulation code. In homogeneous low-density plasmas (one-tenth of the critical density for radiation of wavelength {lambda}{sub {ital L}}=0.25 {mu}m) it is found that ISI can effectively eliminate thermal and ponderomotive self-focusing for a wide range of intensities. In plasma containing an initial linear gradient in density, strong self-focusing occurs when the maximum intensity in the incident light {ital I}{sub 0} (where {ital I}{sub 0} represents the intensity that would be achieved for a perfectly coherent beam) is allowed to approach 10{sup 17} W cm{sup {minus}2}. At lower intensities, {ital I}{sub 0}{similar to}10{sup 16} W cm{sup {minus}2}, thermal self-focusing is eliminated and ponderomotive self-focusing is significantly reduced. The dwell time of the filamented light varies from the laser light coherence time to a few tens of picoseconds.

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G7, Canada (CA)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5146598
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Physics of Fluids B: Plasma Physics; (USA)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 1:12; Journal ID: ISSN 0899-8221
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA; NONLINEAR PROBLEMS; AMPLITUDES; FOCUSING; HYDRODYNAMICS; LASER RADIATION; NUMERICAL SOLUTION; PLASMA DENSITY; SIMULATION; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; FLUID MECHANICS; MECHANICS; PLASMA; RADIATIONS; 700108* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Wave Phenomena

Citation Formats

Rankin, R, Capjack, C E, and James, C R. Numerical simulations of induced spatial incoherence laser light self-focusing. United States: N. p., 1989. Web. doi:10.1063/1.859179.
Rankin, R, Capjack, C E, & James, C R. Numerical simulations of induced spatial incoherence laser light self-focusing. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859179
Rankin, R, Capjack, C E, and James, C R. 1989. "Numerical simulations of induced spatial incoherence laser light self-focusing". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859179.
@article{osti_5146598,
title = {Numerical simulations of induced spatial incoherence laser light self-focusing},
author = {Rankin, R and Capjack, C E and James, C R},
abstractNote = {The effect of induced spatial incoherence (ISI) on laser light self-focusing is investigated using a two-dimensional Eulerian hydrodynamic plasma simulation code. In homogeneous low-density plasmas (one-tenth of the critical density for radiation of wavelength {lambda}{sub {ital L}}=0.25 {mu}m) it is found that ISI can effectively eliminate thermal and ponderomotive self-focusing for a wide range of intensities. In plasma containing an initial linear gradient in density, strong self-focusing occurs when the maximum intensity in the incident light {ital I}{sub 0} (where {ital I}{sub 0} represents the intensity that would be achieved for a perfectly coherent beam) is allowed to approach 10{sup 17} W cm{sup {minus}2}. At lower intensities, {ital I}{sub 0}{similar to}10{sup 16} W cm{sup {minus}2}, thermal self-focusing is eliminated and ponderomotive self-focusing is significantly reduced. The dwell time of the filamented light varies from the laser light coherence time to a few tens of picoseconds.},
doi = {10.1063/1.859179},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5146598}, journal = {Physics of Fluids B: Plasma Physics; (USA)},
issn = {0899-8221},
number = ,
volume = 1:12,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1989},
month = {Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1989}
}