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Observation of modulational instability in Nd-laser beat-wave experiments

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters; (United States)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Laboratoire d'Utilisation des Lasers Intenses, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau (France) Laboratoire de Physique des Gaz et des Plasmas, Universite Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay (France) Laboratoire de Physique Nucleaire des Hautes Energies, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau (France) Groupe de Recherche sur l'Energetique des Milieux Ionises, Universite d'Orleans, 45000 Orleans (France) Centre de Physique Theorique, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau (France)
The modulational instability of the high-phase-velocity plasma wave generated by a Nd-laser beat wave has been observed for the first time. Both ion and electron waves are detected when the electron density is close to the resonant density for which the plasma frequency is equal to the difference frequency between the two pump lasers. We also detect the presence of harmonics of the beat frequency which are a signature of high-amplitude density perturbations.
OSTI ID:
7034247
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (United States) Vol. 68:25; ISSN PRLTA; ISSN 0031-9007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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