Kinetic theory of laser filamentation in plasmas

Journal Article · Mon Oct 22 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Physical Review Letters; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.65.2145· OSTI ID:6224781

Epperlein, E M ^[1]

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1. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (USA)

The classical theory of laser thermal filamentation in a homogeneous plasma has been extended to include the effects of nonlocal electron heat transport. The new theory reduces the instability threshold and predicts an optimum perturbation wavelength that maximizes the spatial growth. Theoretical predictions suggest that the thermal mechanism, rather than the ponderomotive one, may explain the experimental observation of filaments by Young {ital et} {ital al}. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 61, 2336 (1988)). In general, for conditions typical of inertial-confinement fusion, the thermal filamentation instability is expected to dominate.

• DOE Contract Number: FC03-85DP40200
• OSTI ID: 6224781
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (USA) Vol. 65:17; ISSN PRLTA; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
700208 -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ATTENUATION
CONFINEMENT
DATA
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EQUATIONS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
INFORMATION
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
KINETIC EQUATIONS
LASER RADIATION
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
MODULATION
NUMERICAL DATA
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OPTIMIZATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA
PLASMA CONFINEMENT
RADIATIONS
REFRACTIVITY
STABILITY
THEORETICAL DATA