Ar plasma waveguide produced by a low-intensity femtosecond laser

Using the interaction of a low-intensity femtosecond laser pulse (30 fs, 6 × 10¹⁵ Wcm^? 2) with argon cluster jet produced from a slit nozzle, we experimentally probe the formation of a uniform plasma waveguide by the interferogram analysis. The results about evolution of plasma channel demonstrate that it is feasible to produce the plasma waveguide for an fs laser pulse of low-intensity. It takes tens of nanoseconds to form a plasma waveguide. The simulation by one-dimensional Gaussian plasma hydrodynamic expansion model indicates that the temperature of plasma channel is not high under this condition. Thus it takes tens of nanoseconds to form a plasma waveguide.     

Spectroscopic studies of plasmas produced from thin foils by fast risetime nanosecond laser pulses

Studies of emission spectra in the region 20–250 ? from plasmas produced from thin foils of various materials 6?Z?26 by fast risetime nanosecond laser pulses are reported. Ionization and recombination occuring in these plasmas as deduced from the identification of the spectral lines and their intensities is discussed. Estimates of the plasma temperature are made. The results are compared with the predictions of a computer code based on a thermal wave model for the initial burn through the foil and subsequent hydrodynamic expansion of the plasma.     

Interaction of nanosecond laser pulses with plastic foams

Some results of an experimental and theoretical study of the interaction of laser pulses with plastic foams are reported. The propagation velocity of a hydrodynamic peturbation which was initiated in foam target under the action of a laser pulse with intensityq≈2·10¹³ W/cm² and the velocity distribution function of plasma ions were measured; the preliminary results of time-integrated spectroscopic measurements of an intense red-shifted signal are also reported. A self-consistent model of the foam target’s laser plasma formed in a hydrodynamic mode was derived. The predictions of this model are consistent with experimental results. A model of microprocesses of laser plasma formation in a structured material was also developed. The results of numerical simulations by 1D and 2D computer codes are also reported. Original article submitted in English May 25, 1997.     

Suppression of forward dilepton production from an anisotropic quark–gluon plasma

We calculate the rapidity dependence of leading-order medium dilepton yields resulting from a quark–gluon plasma which has a local time-dependent anisotropy in momentum space. We present a phenomenological model which includes the temporal evolution of the plasma anisotropy parameter, ξ, and the hard momentum scale, p _hard. Our model interpolates between a 1+1 dimensional collisionally broadened expansion at early times and a 1+1 dimensional ideal hydrodynamic expansion at late times. Using our model, we find that at LHC energies, forward high-energy medium dilepton production would be suppressed by a factor of up to 3 if one assumes an isotropization/thermalization time of 2 fm/c. Therefore, it may be possible to use forward dilepton yields to experimentally determine the time of the onset of locally isotropic hydrodynamic expansion of the quark–gluon plasma as produced in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions.     

Simulation of Supernova Expansion

We study the possibility of laboratory modeling of some processes that are intrinsic to supernova (SN) explosion by means of powerful lasers (the so-called laboratory astrophysics); in particular, the possibility of reproducing astrophysical data via numerical models was originally aimed at laser plasma simulation. First of all, we analyze hydrodynamic similarity criteria for the considered processes. Then, we conduct 1D and 2D hydrodynamic simulations to model the expansion dynamics of the SN remnant (the progenitor mass is ～5–15 that of the Sun) during several hundreds of seconds after the explosion, including initially asymmetric configurations. Basing on the similarity criteria, we consider possible laser targets – simulators for a supernova, which mimic some processes inherent in astrophysical phenomenon, such as shock wave propagation through a medium, the development of hydrodynamic instabilities at contact boundaries of shells of different densities, etc. We present a simple solution to the problem of blast wave propagation in a medium with density distributed according to a decreasing power law, which is a good approximation for the density distribution in a supernova progenitor.     

Numerical study of ultra-short laser ablation of metals and of laser plume dynamics

Numerical modeling is used to investigate the physical mechanisms of the interaction of ultra-short (sub-picosecond) laser pulses with metallic targets. The laser–target interaction is modeled by using a one-dimensional hydrodynamic code that includes the absorption of laser radiation, the electronic heat conduction, the electron-phonon or electron–ion energy exchange, as well as a realistic equation of state. Laser fluences typical for micromachining are considered. The results of the 1D modeling are then used as the initial conditions for a 2D plasma expansion model. The dynamics of laser plume expansion in femtosecond regime is investigated. Calculations show that the plasma plume is strongly forward directed. In addition, a two-peaked axial density profile is obtained for 400 nm laser wavelength. The calculation results agree with the experimental observations. PACS 52.38.Mf; 02.60.Cb     

Self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in collisionless plasma and its effect on stimulated Raman scattering process

This paper presents an investigation of self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in collisionless plasma and its effect on stimulated Raman scattering process. The pump beam interacts with a pre-excited electron plasma wave thereby generating a back-scattered wave. On account of Gaussian intensity distribution of laser beam, the time independent component of the ponderomotive force along a direction perpendicular to the beam propagation becomes finite, which modifies the background plasma density profile in a direction transverse to pump beam axis. This modification in density affects the incident laser beam, electron plasma wave and back-scattered beam. We have set up the non-linear differential equations for the beam width parameters of the main beam, electron plasma wave, back-scattered wave and SRS-reflectivity by taking full non-linear part of the dielectric constant of collisionless plasma with the help of moment theory approach. It is observed from the analysis that focusing of waves greatly enhances the SRS reflectivity.     

脉冲激光烧蚀Ge产生等离子体特性的数值模拟

 针对激光烧蚀半导体材料Ge初期的特点,建立了1维的热传导和流体动力学模型。对波长为248 nm、脉宽为17 ns、峰值功率密度为4×10⁸ W/cm²的KrF脉冲激光在133.32 Pa氦气环境下烧蚀Ge产生等离子体的特性进行了数值模拟。结果表明：单个激光脉冲对靶的烧蚀深度达到55 nm,蒸气膨胀前端由于压缩背景气体产生压缩冲击波, 波前的速度最大,温度很高。从不同时刻的电离率分布图中得出,在靶面附近区域,Ge的1阶电离始终占优势;在中心区域,脉冲作用时间内,Ge的2阶电离率比1阶电离率大,脉冲结束后,Ge的2阶电离率下降,1阶电离率逐渐变大。     

Damped dust lattice shock wave in a strongly coupled complex (dusty) plasma

Taking into account “hydrodynamic damping” due to irreversible processes that occur within the system and the neutral drag due to the dust-neutral collision, a Burgers’ equation with a linear damping term is derived for a 1D nonlinear longitudinal dust lattice wave (LDLW) in homogeneous strongly coupled complex (dusty) plasma. The hydrodynamic damping generated-dissipative effect causes the generation of a shock wave in a dusty plasma crystal, whereas the neutral drag-induced dissipative effect causes the decay of the shock intensity with time. The width of the observed compressive shock increases (decreases) with an increase in shielding parameter κ (characteristic length L). Its implication in a glow-discharge plasma is briefly discussed. The text was submitted by the author in English.     

Space-resolved soft X-ray emission from laser produced lithium plasma

Space-resolved emission spectroscopy was used to study the evolution of 13.5 nm line intensity and electron temperature of the plasma generated by laser ablation of lithium target. Two emitting regions were observed, their intensities depending on laser fluency. Plasma image is discussed in the frame of a Gaussian model of particle expansion.     

Modulational instability of a laser beam in a longitudinal magnetized piezoelectric semiconductor

Using the hydrodynamic model of a homogeneous infinite plasma, the modulational instability of a laser beam with an acoustic and a helicon wave has been investigated in a piezoelectric semiconductor. The threshold electric field amplitude and the growth rate of the unstable mode have been obtained analytically and for n-InSb at 77 K the unstable mode is found to be propagating with a growth rate ≈10⁵ s^-1 when the crystal is irradiated with a 337 μm HCN laser.     

In depth fusion flame spreading with a deuterium-tritium plane fuel density profile for plasma block ignition

<正>Solid-state fuel ignition was given by Chu and Bobin according to the hydrodynamic theory at x = 0 qualitatively. A high threshold energy flux density,i.e.,E^* = 4.3×10¹² J/m²,has been reached.Recently,fast ignition by employing clean petawatt-picosecond laser pulses was performed.The anomalous phenomena were observed to be based on suppression of prepulses.The accelerated plasma block was used to ignite deuterium-tritium fuel at solid-state density. The detailed analysis of the thermonuclear wave propagation was investigated.Also the fusion conditions at x≠0 layers were clarified by exactly solving hydrodynamic equations for plasma block ignition.In this paper,the applied physical mechanisms are determined for nonlinear force laser driven plasma blocks,thermonuclear reaction,heat transfer, electron-ion equilibration,stopping power of alpha particles,bremsstrahlung,expansion,density dependence,and fluid dynamics.New ignition conditions may be obtained by using temperature equations,including the density profile that is obtained by the continuity equation and expansion velocity.The density is only a function of x and independent of time.The ignition energy flux density,E_t^*,for the x≠0 layers is 1.95×10¹² J/m².Thus threshold ignition energy in comparison with that at x = 0 layers would be reduced to less than 50 percent.     

Plasma density scale length determination in a deuterium,laser generated plasma

In a single-beam laser pellet interaction experiment, photographs of the plasma for two laser frequency harmonic radiations (2ω₀ and 3ω₀/2) are obtained; they provide information on plasma density scale length and hydrodynamic expansion.     

Non‐linear interaction of a q‐Gaussian laser beam in a plasma channel created by the ignitor‐heater technique

This paper presents a theoretical investigation of the propagation characteristics of a q‐Gaussian laser beam propagating through a plasma channel created by the ignitor‐heater technique. The ignitor beam creates the plasma by tunnel‐ionization of air. The heater beam heats the plasma electrons and establishes a parabolic channel. The third beam (q‐Gaussian beam) is guided in the plasma channel under the combined effects of density non‐uniformity and non‐uniform ohmic heating of the plasma channel. Numerical solutions of the non‐linear Schrodinger wave equation (NSWE) for the fields of laser beams are obtained with the help of the moment theory approach. Particular emphasis is placed on the dynamical variations of the spot size of the laser beams and the longitudinal phase shift of the guided beam with the distance of propagation.     

Growth of a laser ripple in a magnetoplasma and its effect on plasma wave excitation

Summary This paper presents an investigation of the growth of a radially symmetrical ripple, superimposed on a Gaussian laser beam in a collisionless magnetoplasma. The effect of the magnetic field and the intensity of the laser on the growth of the ripple is presented in some detail. The effect of the presence of the ripple on the excitation of an electron plasma wave is also investigated. Coupling of a weak plasma wave with the main laser beam is through the modified background density. The combined effect of increased intensity of the laser beam and magnetic field is observed to suppress the growth of the ripple as well as the excitation of the plasma wave. The authors of this paper have agreed to not receive the proofs for correction.     

Propagation of cosh Gaussian laser beam in plasma with density ripple in relativistic – ponderomotive regime

Self-focusing of cosh Gaussian laser beam in plasma with periodic density ripple has been investigated. The pondermotive force on electron and the relativistic oscillation of the electron mass causes periodic self-focusing/defocusing of the cosh Gaussian laser beam. The beam converges in the region of high plasma density due to dominance of self-focusing effect over diffraction effect and diverges in the low density region. Non-linear partial differential equation governing the evolution of complex envelope in slowly varying approximation is solved using paraxial ray approximation. The variation of beam-width parameter is studied with distance of propagation for different values of ripple wave number d and decentred parameter b. In order to get strong self-focusing, wavelength and intensity parameters of cosh Gaussian laser beam are optimized.     

Second Harmonic Generation of Self Focused Cosh‐Gaussian Laser Beam in Collisionless Plasma

This paper presents an investigation of self‐focusing of a Cosh‐Gaussian (ChG) laser beam and its effect on second harmonic generation in collisionless plasma. In the presence of ChG laser beam the carriers get redistributed from high field region to low field region on account of ponderomotive force as a result of which a transverse density gradient is produced in the plasma which in turn generates an electron‐plasma wave at pump frequency. Generated plasma wave interacts with the incident laser beam and hence generates its second harmonics. Moment theory has been used to derive differential equation governing the evolution of spot size of ChG laser beam propagating through collisionless plasma. The differential equation so obtained has been solved numerically. The effect of decentered parameter, intensity of ChG laser beam and density of plasma on self‐focusing of the laser beam and second harmonic yield has been investigated. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

High density plasmas for recombination X-ray lasers

The scaling of recombination XUV lasers to shorter wavelengths requires laser plasmas produced at initial electron densities close to solid. With pump laser pulses longer than a few tens of picoseconds the hydrodynamic motion of the plasma during the interaction makes this difficult to achieve. In contrast, when picosecond laser pulses are used the laser energy is absorbed close to solid density since the plasma expansion is insignificant during the laser pulse. This results in hot near solid density plasmas which are needed for hydrogenic recombination X-ray lasers operating in the water window. Experimental observations have shown that a fully ionized aluminium plasma with a temperature of about 400 eV and a density well above 10²³ cm^–3 is produced when an aluminium target is irradiated with a single 3.5 ps high power KrF laser pulse.     

空间碎片典型材料激光烧蚀反喷羽流实验研究

建立了观测和记录不同激光入射角度烧蚀6061铝合金靶材等离子体反喷羽流特性的实验装置,对实验结果图像进行了处理,并对处理结果进行了数值拟合。拟合结果表明,激光辐照靶材后100ns内,等离子体反喷羽流大致分布区域为靶面外5mm×5mm。激光以不同角度入射时,等离子体反喷速度相对于靶面法线方向大致呈轴对称分布。当激光相对靶面法线方向小角度范围内入射时,激光烧蚀引起的冲量主要沿靶面法线方向,反喷羽流沿靶面法方向的速度为20~40km·s-1。激光斜入射时,反喷羽流沿靶面法线方向的速度要大于激光垂直入射的情况。高斯函数可以很好地描述等离子体反喷羽流速度分布。