Nonlinear analysis of relativistic harmonic generation by intense lasers in plasmas

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/27.221107· OSTI ID:6371848

Esarey, E; Ting, A; Sprangle, P ^[1]; Umstadter, D; Liu, X ^[2]

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1. Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (United States)
2. Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor (United States)

A linearly polarized, ultra-intense laser field induces transverse plasma currents which are highly relativistic and nonlinear, resulting in the generation of coherent harmonic radiation in the forward direction (i.e., co-propagating with the incident laser field). A nonlinear cold fluid model, valid for ultrahigh intensities, is formulated and used to analyze relativistic harmonic generation. The plasma density response is included self-consistently and is shown to significantly reduce the current driving the harmonic radiation. Phase detuning severely limits the growth of the harmonic radiation. The effects of diffraction are considered in the mildly relativistic limit. No third harmonic signal will emerge from a uniform plasma of near infinite extent. A finite third harmonic signal requires the use of a semi-infinite or finite slab plasma. For an initially uniform plasma, no second harmonic radiation is generated. Generation of even harmonics requires transverse gradients in the initial plasma density profile.

• OSTI ID: 6371848
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States) Vol. 21:1; ISSN ITPSBD; ISSN 0093-3813
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661300* -- Other Aspects of Physical Science-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY RANGE
FREQUENCY MIXING
HARMONIC GENERATION
INTERACTIONS
IONIZATION
LASER RADIATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
RADIATIONS
RELATIVISTIC RANGE