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Relativistic plasma-wave excitation by collinear optical mixing

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)
The relativistic plasma wave excited when the frequency difference between two-copropagating CO/sub 2/ laser beams equals the plasma frequency is detected for the first time. The plasma-wave frequency, wave number, spatial extent, and saturation time are directly measured by use of 7-mrad, collective, ruby Thomson scattering and the forward-scattered IR spectrum. The wave amplitude n/n/sub 0/ is inferred to be (1--3)% which gives a longitudinal electric field of 0.3 to 1 GeV/m at a laser intensity of 1.7 x 10/sup 13/ W/cm/sup 2/, in reasonable agreement with theory.
Research Organization:
Electrical Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
DOE Contract Number:
AS03-83ER40120
OSTI ID:
5596043
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 54:21; ISSN PRLTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English