Short-pulse terahertz radiation from high-intensity-laser-produced plasmas

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.49.671· OSTI ID:5282251

Hamster, H; Sullivan, A; Gordon, S; Falcone, R W ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)

The interaction between high-intensity, ultrashort laser pulses and plasmas leads to the emission of coherent, short-pulse radiation at terahertz frequencies. In this work we discuss a model for this effect and its experimental realization. Our measurements constitute the direct observation of laser-induced wake fields. From gas-density targets, resonant enhancement of the terahertz emission is observed if the plasma frequency is close to the inverse pulse length of the exciting laser pulse. At higher plasma densities, the emission of subpicosecond, unipolar electromagnetic pulses is observed. With the use of solid density targets, emission of more than 0.5 [mu]J of far-infrared-radiation energy was measured. Simultaneous emission of MeV x rays and 0.6-MeV electrons was observed and correlated with the terahertz emission. This indicates that the radiative processes in such plasmas are driven by ponderomotively induced space-charge fields in excess of 10[sup 8] V/cm.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5282251
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States) Vol. 49:1; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700350* -- Plasma Production
Heating
Current Drive
& Interactions-- (1992-)
COHERENT RADIATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON EMISSION
EMISSION
FAR INFRARED RADIATION
INFRARED RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
MICROWAVE RADIATION
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PULSE TECHNIQUES
RADIATIONS
SOFT X RADIATION
SPACE CHARGE
X RADIATION