On parallel laser beam merger in plasmas
Self-focusing instability is a well-known phenomenon of nonlinear optics, which is of great importance in the field of laser–plasma interactions. Self-focusing instability leads to beam focusing and, consequently, breakup into multiple laser filaments. The majority of applications tend to avoid a laser filamentation regime due to its detrimental role on laser spot profile and peak intensity. In our work, using nonlinear Schrödinger equation solver and particle-in-cell simulations, we address the problem of interaction of multiple parallel beams in plasmas. We consider both non-relativistic and moderately relativistic regimes and demonstrate how the physics of parallel beam interaction transitions from the familiar self- and mutual-focusing instabilities in the non-relativistic regime to a moderately relativistic regime, where an analytical description of filament interaction is not available.
- Research Organization:
- Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC02-09CH11466; SC0021248
- OSTI ID:
- 2567768
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 31; ISSN 1070-664X
- Publisher:
- American Institute of PhysicsCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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