Nonlinear interaction of intense laser pulses in plasmas

Journal Article · Sun Apr 15 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Physical Review, A (General Physics); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.41.4463· OSTI ID:7092903

Sprangle, P; Esarey, E; Ting, A ^[1]

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1. Beam Physics Branch, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375-5000 (USA)

A nonlinear one-dimensional theory is developed that describes some important aspects of intense laser-plasma interactions. The self-consistent laser-plasma analysis includes nonlinear plasma wake-field generation, relativistic optical guiding, coherent harmonic radiation production, as well as other related phenomena. Relativistic optical guiding is found to be most effective for long laser pulses having slow rise times. Short laser pulses are shown to be weakly guided. Coherent harmonic generation using a linearly polarized laser is found to be most efficient for short laser pulses and can be enhanced by the presence of large amplitude plasma wake fields. Aspects of particle acceleration by laser pulses as well as possible methods for upshifting the frequency of laser pulses are also discussed.

• OSTI ID: 7092903
• Journal Information: Physical Review, A (General Physics); (USA), Vol. 41:8; ISSN 0556-2791
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
PLASMA
LASER RADIATION
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
ACCELERATION
FOCUSING
HARMONIC GENERATION
PULSED IRRADIATION
WAKEFIELD ACCELERATORS
ACCELERATORS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FREQUENCY MIXING
IRRADIATION
RADIATIONS
700108* - Fusion Energy- Plasma Research- Wave Phenomena