Resonant self-focusing of laser light in a plasma

Journal Article · Mon Mar 29 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.48.874· OSTI ID:5183122

Joshi, C; Clayton, C E; Chen, F F

When laser light containing two frequencies ..omega../sub 1/ and ..omega../sub 2/ impinges on a plasma with ..omega../sub P/ = ..omega../sub 1/-..omega../sub 2/, plasma waves are resonantly excited. The ponderomotive force of these waves is much larger than that of the beam, and the self-focusing effect is greatly enhanced. With use of CO/sub 2/ laser light of only 5 x 10/sup 9/ W/cm/sup 2/ intensity and a plasma at 0.6% of critical density n/sub c/, this effect is observed as a strong (10/sup 5/-fold) enhancement of refracted light at theta = 5/sup 0/--12/sup 0/ when the density is at the resonant value.

• Research Organization: University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
• DOE Contract Number: AS08-81DP40135
• OSTI ID: 5183122
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 48:13
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA
WAVE PROPAGATION
PLASMA WAVES
EXCITATION
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LASER RADIATION
RESONANCE
DATA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
GAS LASERS
INFORMATION
LASERS
NUMERICAL DATA
RADIATIONS
700108* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Wave Phenomena