Generation of straight and curved hollow plasma channels by laser-generated nonlinear wakefields and studies of ultra-intense laser pulse guiding
Abstract
We report on a study of highly controllable, quasi-static hollow plasma channels generated by ion motion following a laser–plasma interaction via numerical simulations. These channels are generated by ion motion in a nonlinear wakefield, which has an asymmetry between focusing and defocusing periods. Such plasma channels, driven by a fs duration, 100 TW level laser pulse, have the capability to guide more powerful laser pulses. Moreover, we show that curved plasma channels can be generated in a transverse density gradient plasma and all-optical guiding of a second, significantly more powerful laser pulse in such a curved plasma channel. This mechanism may be useful for creating plasma optics for multi-stage TeV laser plasma accelerators and compact synchrotron radiation sources.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1063/5.0048897
Entities
People
- Alexander G. Thomas
- D. Seipt
- Karl Krushelnick
- Yong Ma
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research
- National Science Foundation
- United States Department of Energy
- University of Michigan