Spatio-temporal dynamics of the resonantly excited relativistic plasma wave driven by a CO{sub 2} laser

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.872318· OSTI ID:565277

Lal, A K; Gordon, D; Wharton, K; Clayton, C E; Marsh, K A; Mori, W B; Joshi, C ^[1]; Everett, M J ^[2]; Johnston, T W ^[3]

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1. Electrical Engineering Department, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024 (United States)
2. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)
3. Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Energie, Quebec (Canada)

The dynamics of a relativistic plasma wave (RPW) resonantly excited by a two frequency CO{sub 2} laser pulse and the effects of this wave on a co-propagating relativistic electron beam were studied through experiments and supporting simulations. The amplitude of the RPW and its harmonics were resolved in time and space with a Thomson scattering diagnostic. In addition, the plasma wave amplitude-length product and temporal duration were independently measured through time and frequency resolved forward scattering. The transverse electric and magnetic fields associated with the RPW were studied by the scattering of a 2 MeV electron beam, and the eventual heating of the plasma after the breakup of the RPW was measured from the x-ray radiation spectrum. The experiments and simulations show that the RPW reaches a peak amplitude of approximately 30{percent}, with the amplitude limited by plasma blowout driven by the radial ponderomotive forces of the plasma wave. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• Research Organization: University of California
• DOE Contract Number: AS03-83ER40120
• OSTI ID: 565277
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 4; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
AMPLITUDES
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
DYNAMICS
EXCITATION
LASER RADIATION
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA SIMULATION
PLASMA WAVES
RELATIVISTIC PLASMA
RESONANCE