Results of numerical simulations and analytical description of the propagation of two-dimensional, short relativistically strong laser pulses in an underdense plasma are presented. The relativistic self-focusing and filamentation of a laser pulse are demonstrated. The influence of asymmetry of the pulse shape is studied. It is shown that the merging of self-focusing channels occurs due to attraction of the electric currents produced by fast particle motion inside the channels. It is found that external magnetic fields can bend the channels. These effects extend the range of the self-focusing phenomena because they allow the energy of several channels to accumulate in one channel. Pulses that are shorter than the plasma wave but with a transverse size larger than the wavelength of the plasma wave excite the regular wake wave whose electric field accelerates the charged particles. The specific structure of the wake plasma wave makes it possible for electromagnetic radiation to be focused by this wave.
NONLINEAR EVOLUTION OF ULTRASTRONG LASER-PULSES IN A PLASMA - NEW PHENOMENA OF MAGNETIC INTERACTION BETWEEN STRONG ELECTROMAGNETIC BEAMS
PEGORARO, FRANCESCO;
1995-01-01
Abstract
Results of numerical simulations and analytical description of the propagation of two-dimensional, short relativistically strong laser pulses in an underdense plasma are presented. The relativistic self-focusing and filamentation of a laser pulse are demonstrated. The influence of asymmetry of the pulse shape is studied. It is shown that the merging of self-focusing channels occurs due to attraction of the electric currents produced by fast particle motion inside the channels. It is found that external magnetic fields can bend the channels. These effects extend the range of the self-focusing phenomena because they allow the energy of several channels to accumulate in one channel. Pulses that are shorter than the plasma wave but with a transverse size larger than the wavelength of the plasma wave excite the regular wake wave whose electric field accelerates the charged particles. The specific structure of the wake plasma wave makes it possible for electromagnetic radiation to be focused by this wave.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
