Photographic study of hot electrons generated by the two-plasmon decay instability

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Physics of Fluids B; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859260· OSTI ID:6765286

Meyer, J; Legault, L E ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 2A6, Canada (CA)

Hot electrons generated by the two-plasmon decay instability in a CO{sub 2}-laser irradiated underdense plasma are studied by photographic methods. For laser intensities less than 5{times}10{sup 13} W/cm{sup 2} the electrons are emitted in the plane of polarization. From the direction of their trajectories the wave vector distribution of the electron accelerating two-plasmon decay waves is determined. These wave vector measurements are in good agreement with values theoretically predicted for the fastest growing mode. For laser intensities large than 6{times}10{sup 13} W/cm{sup 2} space-charge effects become important and hot electrons are detected out of the plane of polarization.

• OSTI ID: 6765286
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (USA), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (USA) Vol. 2:6; ISSN 0899-8221; ISSN PFBPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700102* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Diagnostics
BRIGHTNESS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HOT PLASMA
LASER RADIATION
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMONS
POLARIZATION
QUASI PARTICLES
RADIATIONS
TRAJECTORIES