Stimulated Raman backscatter in ultraintense, short pulse laser--plasma interactions

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · Physics of Plasmas; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.871097· OSTI ID:6709904

Wilks, S C; Kruer, W L; Williams, E A; Amendt, P; Eder, D C ^[1]

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1. University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)

The stimulated Raman backscatter instability that occurs when short ([similar to]50--100 fs), intense ([ital I][congruent]2[times]10[sup 17] W/cm[sup 2]) laser pulses are focused into a high density, low temperature plasma is reported on in this article. Results from linear theory, numerical differencing of the coupled mode equations, and one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations will be discussed. It is found that the growth rate is a function of position along the pulse, and that the maximum growth rate at the peak of the pulse is reduced from the homogeneous long pulse value, [gamma][sub 0] by a factor of 1/[radical]2. A criterion is obtained that predicts when the product of the pulse length and the growth rate is large enough so that the backscatter instability will heat the background electrons to a significant amount above the initial temperature. The usual hot electron component associated with this instability will also be discussed.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6709904
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas; (United States), Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas; (United States) Vol. 2:1; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700350* -- Plasma Production
Heating
Current Drive
& Interactions-- (1992-)
BACKSCATTERING
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
IRRADIATION
LASER RADIATION
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
PLASMA
PLASMA SIMULATION
PULSED IRRADIATION
RADIATIONS
RAMAN EFFECT
SCATTERING
SIMULATION