Plasma Channel Formation and Guiding During High Intensity Short Pulse Laser Plasma Experiments.

Abstract

A plasma waveguide is formed during the interaction of a high power (2TW) subpicosecond pump laser pulse with a hydrogen (or helium) gas jet target. The channel is produced from displacement (or cavitation) of plasma electrons by the large ponderomotive force of the focused pump laser and the subsequent radial expulsion of plasma ions due to charge separation. Using Thomson scattering diagnostics and mode structure measurements, a trailing probe laser pulse is observed to be guided throughout the length of this channel for about 20 Rayleigh lengths - approximately equal to the propagation length of the self-guided pump laser pulse.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 25, 1996
Accession Number
ADA318140

Entities

People

  • Antonio Ting
  • C. I. Moore
  • Eric H. Esarey
  • H. R. Burris
  • Phillip A. Sprangle

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cavitation
  • Dispersing
  • Displacement
  • Electromagnetic Scattering
  • Electrons
  • Expulsion
  • Hydrogen
  • Intensity
  • Laser Pulses
  • Measurement
  • Scattering
  • Thomson Scattering
  • Wave Phenomena
  • Waveguides

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Directed Energy - Lasers
  • Microelectronics