Supercritical density profiles of CO/sub 2/-laser--irradiated microballoons

Journal Article · Mon Nov 26 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.43.1664· OSTI ID:5540246

Fedosejevs, R; Burgess, M D.J.; Enright, G D; Richardson, M C

Electron density profiles up to 40 n/sub c/ have been measured for plasmas produced on glass microballoon targets irradiated by nanosecond, CO/sub 2/ laser pulses in the intensity range 2 x 10/sup 12/ to 6 x 10/sup 13/ W cm/sup -2/. Critical density scale lengths of approx. 3 ..mu..m and plateau structures, including overdense bumps, have been observed. Upper shelf densities were greater than those attributable to radiation pressure alone, possibly indicating contributions from the superthermal plasma blowoff and self-generated magnetic fields.

• Research Organization: Division of Physics, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5540246
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 43:22; ISSN PRLTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700102 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Diagnostics
700106* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Production-- (-1987)
AIRSHIPS
BALLOONS
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
ELECTRON DENSITY
GAS LASERS
GLASS
INTERFEROMETRY
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
RADIATION PRESSURE