Alternative analysis of CO/sub 2/-laser-produced plasma waves

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Phys. Fluids; (United States)

OSTI ID:7030178

Simon, A; Short, R W

McIntosh et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett. 57, 337 (1986); Phys. Fluids 29, 3451 (1986)) have carried out experiments in which electron plasma waves produced in a gas jet target by a CO/sub 2/-laser pulse were studied by picosecond-resolution Thomson scattering of a ruby-laser pulse. In addition, spectra of the scattered laser light and of the fast electrons were obtained. Their analysis of the data was based on the assumption that the plasma waves are created by the onset of the stimulated Raman scattering instability. This led to a number of difficulties in the interpretation of the data. It is shown here that an alternative model of the origin of these plasma waves (Phys. Rev. Lett. 53, 1912 (1984)), used previously in analyzing Raman data in several other experiments, removes all these difficulties and is in agreement with the data. In this model, the plasma waves are produced by pulses of fast electrons arising at the quarter-critical surface.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, 250 E. River Road, Rochester, New York 14623-1299
• OSTI ID: 7030178
• Journal Information: Phys. Fluids; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Fluids; (United States) Vol. 31:11; ISSN PFLDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700102 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Diagnostics
700108* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
CARBON DIOXIDE LASERS
COHERENT SCATTERING
ELECTRON PLASMA WAVES
FLUIDS
GAS LASERS
GASES
INELASTIC SCATTERING
JETS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA WAVES
PULSES
RAMAN EFFECT
RESOLUTION
RUBY LASERS
SCATTERING
SOLID STATE LASERS
TARGETS
THOMSON SCATTERING