Self-focusing in a plasma due to ponderomotive forces and relativistic effects

The propagation of intense laser pulses in a plasma is discussed in terms of a constant shape, paraxial ray approximation. Self-focusing due to ponderomotive forces and relativistic effects is investigated. It is found that the stationary self-focusing behaviour of each mechanism treated separately...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optics communications 1976-01, Vol.16 (3), p.402-407
Main Author: Siegrist, M.R.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The propagation of intense laser pulses in a plasma is discussed in terms of a constant shape, paraxial ray approximation. Self-focusing due to ponderomotive forces and relativistic effects is investigated. It is found that the stationary self-focusing behaviour of each mechanism treated separately is similar, with several orders of magnitude difference in critical power. In stationary self-focusing due to the combined mechanisms, complete saturation of ponderomotive self-focusing prevents the occurrence of relativistic effects. Self-focusing lengths and minimum radii are given for a large range of beam powers. A characteristic focal spot radius is found which depends only on the plasma density.
ISSN:0030-4018
1873-0310
DOI:10.1016/0030-4018(76)90028-6