Microwave energy channeling in plasma waveguides created by a high-power UV laser in the atmosphere

The grazing mode of microwave propagation in a hollow plasma waveguide formed by ionization of atmospheric air with a small easily ionized additive by strong UV pulses of the Garpun KrF laser (λ = 248 nm, the pulse duration and energy are ∼70 ns and ∼50 J) was experimentally demonstrated for the first time. The annular laser beam produced a hollow tube ∼10 cm in diameter with an electron density of ∼10¹² cm⁻³ in a plasma wall ∼1 cm thick, over whichmicrowave radiation with λ _mw ∼ 8 mm was transmitted to a distance of 60 m. Themicrowave signal transmitted by the waveguide was amplified by a factor of 6 in comparison with propagation in free space.     

Small-scale instability of a pulse front traversing a resonant saturable absorber

Wave front of a light pulse is shown to be unstable as it propagates through a resonant saturable absorber, if its frequency is higher than the resonance frequency of the absorber. When ΔωT ₂∼1, a small-scale transverse instability with the dimension of (λl _abs)^1/2 grows rapidly. Its growth-rate is of the order of the small-signal-absorption length of the medium.     

Continuous frequency up-conversion in a double-Λ scheme of Na2

 In a double-Λ level configuration of Na₂ molecules, involving rotational–vibrational levels of the X, A and B bands, continuous resonant frequency mixing ω₄=ω₁−ω₂+ω₃ is demonstrated. A DCM dye laser at 661 nm (λ₁) pumps a molecular Raman laser at 746 nm (λ₂) in a sodium heatpipe, which is used to generate the molecular vapour. In the same heatpipe, both fields are mixed with the radiation of an argon-ion laser at 514 nm (λ₃) to generate up-converted laser radiation at 473 nm (λ₄). For laser powers of 200 mW (λ₁), 700 mW (λ₂, internal power) and 140 mW (λ₃), an output power of 120 μW (λ₄) has been achieved. Dependences of the generated radiation on the pump fields (powers and detunings) and polarization features are presented; influences of coherent coupling and population transfer mechanisms are discussed. Received: 7 October 1996     

Generation of strong Langmuir fields during optical breakdown of a dense gas

Results are presented from theoretical studies and computer simulations of the resonant excitation of Langmuir waves during the ionization of a homogeneous gas by high-intensity laser radiation. Two mechanisms for the formation of nonuniform resonant structures in the discharge are examined: plasma-resonance ionization instability, resulting in the density modulation along the electric field vector, and gas breakdown in the field of a transversely inhomogeneous laser beam (a Bessel beam produced by an axicon lens). In both cases, the transition of the plasma density through the critical value is accompanied by the generation of intense Langmuir waves, the formation of fast ionization fronts, and the appearance of long-lived quasi-turbulent states.     

Breakdown conditions and thermal instability in air

Summary Reduced electric fields (E/N) responsible for electrical breakdown in air have been calculated by solving a stationary Boltzmann equation including superelastic vibrational collisions. The results show a decrease ofE/N with increasing gas temperature. The possibility of air instability due to chemical processes producing electrons is then investigated by calculating the threshold of this instability as a function of a characteristic time for heat dissipation τ.     

Single and double ionization of gallium by electron impact

Electron impact single and double ionization cross sections of gallium have been calculated in the binary encounter approximation using accurate expression for σ_Δ;E including exchange and interference as given by Vriens and Hartree-Fock velocity distributions for the target electrons throughout the calculations. It is concluded that the ionization of 3d shell contributes partly to single ionization and partly to double ionization. The results so obtained show reasonably good agreement with the experimental data.     

Fast electron energy deposition in aluminium foils: Resistive vs. drag heating

The high current electron beam losses have been studied experimentally with 0.7 J, 40 fs, 6 10¹⁹ Wcm^-2 laser pulses interacting with Al foils of thicknesses 10-200 μm. The fast electron beam characteristics and the foil temperature were measured by recording the intensity of the electromagnetic emission from the foils rear side at two different wavelengths in the optical domain, ≈407 nm (the second harmonic of the laser light) and ≈500 nm. The experimentally observed fast electron distribution contains two components: one relativistic tail made of very energetic (T _h ^tail ≈ 10 MeV) and highly collimated (7° ± 3°) electrons, carrying a small amount of energy (less than 1% of the laser energy), and another, the bulk of the accelerated electrons, containing lower-energy (T _h ^bulk=500 ± 100 keV) more divergent electrons (35 ± 5°), which transports about 35% of the laser energy. The relativistic component manifests itself by the coherent 2ω₀ emission due to the modulation of the electron density in the interaction zone. The bulk component induces a strong target heating producing measurable yields of thermal emission from the foils rear side. Our data and modeling demonstrate two mechanisms of fast electron energy deposition: resistive heating due to the neutralizing return current and collisions of fast electrons with plasma electrons. The resistive mechanism is more important at shallow target depths, representing an heating rate of 100 eV per Joule of laser energy at 15 μm. Beyond that depth, because of the beam divergence, the incident current goes under 10¹² Acm^-2 and the collisional heating becomes more important than the resistive heating. The heating rate is of only 1.5 eV per Joule at 50 μm depth.     

Experiments on two-step heating of a dense plasma in the GOL-3 facility

This paper presents the results of experiments on two-stage heating of a dense plasma by a relativistic electron beam in the GOL-3 facility. A dense plasma with a length of about a meter and a hydrogen density up to 10¹⁷ cm⁻³ was created in the main plasma, whose density was 10¹⁵ cm⁻³. In the process of interacting with the plasma, the electron beam (1 MeV, 40 kA, 4 μs) imparts its energy to the electrons of the main plasma through collective effects. The heated electrons, as they disperse along the magnetic field lines, in turn reach the region of dense plasma and impart their energy to it by pairwise collisions. Estimates based on experimental data are given for the parameters of the flux of hot plasma electrons, the energy released in the dense plasma, and the energy balance of the beam-plasma system. The paper discusses the dynamics of the plasma, which is inhomogeneous in density and temperature, including the appearance of pressure waves. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 113, 897–917 (March 1998)     

Jeans-Buneman instability in a dusty plasma

A self consistent formulation of the Jeans instability of a dusty plasma with proper inclusion of charge dynamics is described. It is shown that charge fluctuations significantly affect the Jeans as well as the Buneman mode. For plasma particles (electrons and ions) in local thermal equilibrium, the Jeans lengthλ _J is given byλ _J≈λ _g F(R, ε, β/η), whereλ _g is the Debye length of the charged grains,R is the square of the ratio of the Jeans to the plasma frequency of the grains,ε is the square of the ratio of the Debye length of the grains and the plasma particles andβ/η is the ratio of the attachment to the decay frequency of the electronic charges to the grain surface. The functional form ofF is given in the text. Numerical investigation of the Jeans-Buneman mode for a two and three component plasma shows that the Jeans mode dominates atkλ _D≪1 (wherek is the wave number andλ _D is the Debye length of plasma particles), whereas atkλ _D≫1 only the Buneman mode operates. Charge fluctuations reduce the area of overlap of the two modes. Furthermore, in the absence of gravity, there exists a new, charge fluctuation induced unstable mode in a streaming dusty plasma. Astrophysical applications of the results are discussed.     

Return current instability and its effects on beam-plasma system

The return current induced in a plasma by a relativisitc electron beam generates a new electron-ion two-stream instability (return current instability). Although the effect of these currents on the beam-plasma e-e instability is negligible, there exists a range of wave numbers which is unstable only to return current (RC) instability and not to e-e instability. The electromagnetic waves propagating along the direction of the external magnetic field, in which the plasma is immersed, are stabilized by these currents but the e.m. waves with frequencies,ω ²≪Ω _e ² ≪ω _pe ² (Ω _e andω _pe being cyclotron and plasma frequency for the electrons of the plasma respectively) propagating transverse to the magnetic field get destabilized. Heuristic estimates of plasma heating, due to RC instability and due to decay of ion-acoustic turbulence generated by the return current, are made. The fastest time scale on which the return current delivers energy to the plasma due to the scattering of ion-sound waves by the electrons can be ∼ω _pi ⁻¹ (ω _pi being the plasma frequency for the ions).     

Beam-plasma discharge in the propagation of a long-pulse relativistic electron beam in a medium-pressure rarefied gas

A theoretical model is given, along with a numerical analysis of the evolution of beam-plasma discharge in the propagation of a long-pulse relativistic electron beam in a rarefied gas at medium pressure. It is shown that the self-stabilization of beam-plasma discharge as a result of longitudinal inhomogeneity of the density of the discharge plasma makes it possible for the beam to traverse the beam chamber with relatively low total energy losses, including ionization losses and energy losses in the generation of oscillations. During the dissociative recombination of electrons and ions of the discharge-driven plasma, heat is released and spent in raising the temperature of the gas. The investigated collective-discharge mechanism underlying heating of the gas for a relativistic beam can be more efficient than the classical heating mechanism due to ionization losses of the beam in pair collisions of its electrons with gas particles. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 67, 94–98 (May 1997)     

Effects of sidelobes of focused flat-topped laser beams on vacuum electron acceleration

Using three-dimensional test particle simulations, we investigated electrons accelerated by a focused flat-top laser beam at different intensities and flatness levels of the beam profile before focusing in vacuum. The results show that the presence of sidelobes around the main focal spot of the focused flat-top laser beam influences the optimum (as far as electron acceleration is concerned) initial momentum (and incident angle) of electrons for acceleration. The difference of initial conditions between laser beams with and without sidelobes becomes evident when the laser field is strong enough (a₀>10, corresponding to intensities I>1×10²⁰ W/cm² for the laser wavelength λ=1 μm, where a₀ is a dimensionless parameter measuring laser intensity). The difference becomes more pronounced at increasing a₀. Because of the presence of sidelobes, there exist three typical CAS (capture and acceleration scenario) channels when a₀≥30 (corresponding to I>1×10²¹ W/cm² for λ=1 μm). The energy spread of the outgoing electrons is also discussed in detail. PACS 41.75.Jv; 42.60.Jf; 42.25.Fx     

Electron impact single ionization of copper

Electron impact single ionization cross sections of copper have been calculated in the binary encounter approximation using accurate expression for σ _ΔE as given by Vriens and Hartree-Fock momentum distribution for the target electron. The BEA calculation based on the usual procedure does not show satisfactory agreement with experiment in this case but a striking modification is found to be successful in explaining the experimental observations. The discrepancy is linked with the ionization of the 3d ¹⁰ electrons and probably effective single ionization does not take place from 3d shell of copper leading to smaller values of experimental cross sections.     

Stationary Properties and Stochastic Resonance for a Saturation Laser Model with Cross-correlation Between Quantum Noise Terms

The stationary properties of a saturation laser model with cross-correlation between the real and imaginary parts of the quantum noise are investigated theoretically. Using the Novikov theorem and the Sargent technique, we obtain the analytic expressions of the stationary probability density distribution, the mean, the variance and the skewness of the saturation laser model. The cross-correlation coefficient λ and other parameters can make the stationary probability density distribution P _st (I) generate interesting two-extrema structure, one-extremum structure, or no-extremum structure. It is clearly found that a first- order-like-transition is induced by the coupling strength |λ| of the complex quantum noise terms in the saturation laser model. When the laser system is operated above the threshold, the mean 〈I〉 becomes larger and the output of the laser intensity increases; however the coupling strength |λ| attenuates the output of the laser intensity. When the laser is operated near and below the threshold, the mean 〈I〉 becomes smaller, the output of the laser intensity decreases, and |λ| still attenuates the output of the laser intensity. When a periodic signal is added to a saturation laser model with cross-correlation between quantum noise terms, the interesting stochastic resonance phenomena occur at λ=0. The noise intensity Q decreases the values of the resonance peak, however, the amplitude of the periodic signal B enhances the values of the resonance peak.     

Selective excitation of the 62 D 3/2 state of the atomic thallium beam

The absorption of the tunable narrow-band laser radiation with λ = 276.9 nm at the 6² P _1/2 → 62 D _3/2 transition in the atomic thallium beam is experimentally studied. The isotopic selectivity and efficiency of the excitation of the 6² D _3/2 state is investigated. The splittings between the ²⁰³Tl and ²⁰⁵Tl isotopes were found to be Δv = 0.98 and 1.25 GHz for the transitions with the nuclear momenta F = 1 → F = 1, 2 and F = 0 → F = 1, respectively, which is sufficient for a relatively high isotopic selectivity of the 6² D _3/2 state excitation with the subsequent ionization for the laser separation of the thallium isotopes. The effects that lead to the broadening of the resonance and a decrease in the selectivity are analyzed. The main contribution is related to the field broadening by the laser radiation, which limits the mean laser power density.     

Peculiarities of filamentation of sharply focused ultrashort laser pulses in air

Peculiarities of the self-focusing and filamentation of high-power femtosecond laser pulses in air have been experimentally and theoretically studied under conditions of broad variation of the beam focusing parameter. The influence of the numerical aperture (NA) of the initial radiation focusing on the main characteristics of laser-induced plasma columns (characteristic transverse size, length, and concentration of free electrons) is considered. It is established that, for a rigid (NA > 0.05) initial laser beam focusing, the transverse size of the plasma channel ceases to decrease at a level of R _pl ≈ 2–4 μm as a result of strong refraction of radiation on the plasma formed at the focal waist, which prevents further contraction of the laser beam due to its focusing and self-focusing.     

Double ionization of Sc<Superscript>+</Superscript>ions by electron impact

Electron impact double ionization cross-sections of Sc⁺ions have been calculated in the binary encounter approximation (BEA). Accurate expression of σ_ΔE(cross-section for energy transfer ΔE) and Hartree-Fock velocity distributions for the target electrons have been used throughout the calculations. Direct double ionization from ejection of 3d and 4s electrons has been investigated in the modified double binary encounter model incorporating the focusing action of the target ion on the incident electron. The identification of the 3p shell whose ionization provides a major contribution to double ionization through ionization-autoionization is an interesting aspect of the present investigation. The theoretical results show satisfactory agreement with the experimental observations.     

Non-contact acoustic tests based on nanosecond laser ablation: Generation of a pulse sound source with a small amplitude

A method to generate a pulse sound source for acoustic tests based on nanosecond laser ablation with a plasma plume is discussed. Irradiating a solid surface with a laser beam expands a high-temperature plasma plume composed of free electrons, ionized atoms, etc. at a high velocity throughout ambient air. The shockwave generated by the plasma plume becomes the pulse sound source. A laser ablation sound source has two features. Because laser ablation is induced when the laser fluence reaches 10¹²–10¹⁴ W/m², which is less than that for laser-induced breakdown (10¹⁵ W/m²), laser ablation can generate a lower sound pressure, and the sound source has a hemispherical radiation pattern on the surface where laser ablation is generated. Additionally, another feature is that laser-induced breakdown sound sources can fluctuate, whereas laser ablation sound sources do not because laser ablation is produced at a laser beam–irradiation point. We validate this laser ablation method for acoustic tests by comparing the measured and theoretical resonant frequencies of an impedance tube.     

Ground state structure of some double-λ hypernuclei by a three-body model using a simple coordinate space approach

New experimental data on the binding energyB _λλ of_λλ6He, reported very recently, come up with the valuesB _λλ = 725 ±0.14 MeV and ΔB_λλ = 101 ±0.2 MeV which are substantially lower than the old dataB _λλ = 109 ±0.8 MeV and ΔB_λλ = 4.7±10 MeV in use in literature since 1966. In view of the new data we decided to undertake a re-study of the _λλ ⁶ He hypernucleus using the same three-body model (α-λ-λ) with a simple coordinate space variational approach which was employed earlier with the old data on_λλ/6He. After fitting different λ-λ potentials to the new data of _λλ ⁶ He we have applied our method to study some double-λ hypernuclei in light, medium and heavy mass regions and have determined the structural quantities like Bλλ, the r.m.s. values of core-λ (〈r_core-λ〉〉) and λ-λ (〈r_λ-λ〉〉) distances theoretically. The core-λ interaction considered is of Woods-Saxon type. The strength and the range of the core-A potential have been adjusted to reproduce the λ-binding energy(B _λ) . These are in good agreement with the relativistic mean field (RMF) results. Our study shows that the λ-λ bonding energy ΔB_λλ decreases with increasing mass number from _λλ ¹⁰ Be to _λλ ²¹⁰ Pb of a double-A hypernucleus