Relativistic focusing and ponderomotive channeling of intense laser beams

The ponderomotive force associated with an intense laser beam expels electrons radially and can lead to cavitation in plasma. Relativistic effects as well as ponderomotive expulsion of electrons modify the refractive index. An envelope equation for the laser spot size is derived, using the source-de...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics. - 1993. - 62(2000), 3 Pt B vom: 27. Sept., Seite 4120-5
1. Verfasser: Hafizi (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Ting, Sprangle, Hubbard
Format: Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2000
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics
Schlagworte:Journal Article
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:The ponderomotive force associated with an intense laser beam expels electrons radially and can lead to cavitation in plasma. Relativistic effects as well as ponderomotive expulsion of electrons modify the refractive index. An envelope equation for the laser spot size is derived, using the source-dependent expansion method with Laguerre-Gaussian eigenfunctions, and reduced to quadrature. The envelope equation is valid for arbitrary laser intensity within the long pulse, quasistatic approximation and neglects instabilities. Solutions of the envelope equation are discussed in terms of an effective potential for the laser spot size. An analytical expression for the effective potential is given. For laser powers exceeding the critical power for relativistic self-focusing the analysis indicates that a significant contraction of the spot size and a corresponding increase in intensity is possible
Beschreibung:Date Revised 20.11.2019
published: Print
Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE
ISSN:1063-651X