Relativistic self-focusing of short-pulse radiation beams in plasmas

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.1987.4316677· OSTI ID:6566728

Sprangle, P; Tang, C M; Esarey, E

An envelope equation is derived which describes the radial evolution of a radiation beam propagating through a plasma. The radiation envelope equation contains a defocusing term due to the diffraction spreading and a focusing term due to relativistic oscillations of the plasma electrons. The case of a constant density background plasma is analyzed in detail and an expression for a critical laser power is derived. For powers exceeding the critical power, the radiation envelope oscillates and does not diffract. Under certain conditions the radiation beam propagates through the plasma with a constant radius envelope.

• Research Organization: Plasma Theory Branch, Plasma Physics Div., Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC 20375
• OSTI ID: 6566728
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States) Vol. PS-15:2; ISSN ITPSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
BEAM TRANSPORT
COHERENT SCATTERING
DIFFRACTION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUATIONS
FERMIONS
FOCUSING
LASERS
LEPTONS
OSCILLATIONS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
POWER
PULSES
RELATIVISTIC PLASMA
SCATTERING
WAVE PROPAGATION