Collective plasma behavior in laser plasma experiments
A simple model for the absorption of intense laser light via the generation of electron plasma waves near the critical density is presented. The magnitude of the absorption, its polarization dependence, and the heated electron distributions generated are in reasonable agreement with results from recent experiments in which discs are irradiated with intense Nd light. The simple model is extended to include realistic light beams focused onto spherical plasmas. Calculations of how the absorption depends on focusing are presented and shown to agree with recent experiments in which glass balls are irradiated. It is also shown that the Brillouin instability can lead to a time-dependent reflectivity when the underdense plasma has a small mass and heat capacity, consistent with some recent observations. In addition, the 2..omega../sub pe/ decay instability is found to be strongly limited by a local steepening of the density profile. Finally the electron diffusion across self-generated magnetic fields is assessed. Even though the calculated diffusion rate is much greater than classical, the fields can still produce the strongly inhibited heat transport which has been observed.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 7138807
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-78005; CONF-761012-17; TRN: 77-001827
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 6. international conference on plasma physics and controlled nuclear fusion research, Berchtesgaden, F.R. Germany, 6 Oct 1976
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
ENERGY TRANSFER
ABSORPTION
ELECTRON DENSITY
LASER RADIATION
LASER-RADIATION HEATING
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
POLARIZATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HEATING
PLASMA
PLASMA HEATING
RADIATIONS
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