Elimination of Laser Prepulse by Relativistic Guiding in a Plasma
Abstract
A method is proposed for eliminating prepulses associated with high power, ultrashort laser pulses. In this method the high power portion of the pulse is refractively guided due to relativistic effects associated with the plasma electrons. The low power prepulse, however, is unaffected by the plasma and diffracts away. Optical guiding is achieved by appropriately choosing the plasma density, laser power and wavelength. In addition, a wavebreaking stabilization mechanism for the Raman backscattering instability for intense laser pulses is proposed. This stabilization mechanism indicates that the intense laser pulse should not be significantly backscattered by the plasma. (jhd)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 27, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA229859
Entities
People
- A. Zigler
- Eric H. Esarey
- Phillip A. Sprangle
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory