Axially magnetized electron–positron and electron plasma competition on the self focusing of intense laser beam

The spot-size evolution of circularly polarized intense laser beam propagating through the axially magnetized electron–positron (EP) and electron plasmas is discussed, in mildly relativistic and weakly non-linear (a² ? 1) regime. The non-linear current density source terms are obtained by making used of the perturbative technique. The variational principle approach method is applied to the solution of the non-linear Schrodinger wave equation. It is shown that the laser beam spot size decreases for the left and increases for the right handed polarized beams with increasing the external magnetic field, owing to the beam passages inside the electron plasma. Furthermore, it is revealed that the self focusing property strongly enhanced in the EP plasma in comparison to the electron plasma. Moreover, self focusing of linearly polarized laser beam is investigated for EP plasma by superposition of the right and left circularly polarized beams.     

Hydrodynamic analysis of electrostatic counter-streaming instability in a spin-polarized electron–positron–ion plasma

In this study, we present linear analysis of electrostatic counter-streaming instability in spin-polarized electron–positron–ion (e-p-i) plasma. With the aid of the separate spin evolution-quantum hydrodynamic (SSE-QHD) model, we derive the dispersion relation of counter-streaming instability. We numerically solve the dispersion and find four wave solutions: Langmuir wave, positron acoustic mode, and two electron and positron spin-dependent waves. It is noted that coupling of streaming and spin effects excites Langmuir instability and positron acoustic mode instability. However, in the absence of spin effect, only Langmuir instability will survive in e-p-i plasma. We have also discussed the effects of positron concentration, streaming speed, and spin polarization on the real frequency of waves and the growth rate. The present study may be helpful for understanding longitudinal wave propagation and instabilities in dense magnetized environments.     

Modulational instability of ultra-intense linearly polarized laser pulse in electron–positron plasmas

Based on the wave equation of ultra-intense linearly polarized laser pulse propagating in electron–positron plasmas, the modulational instability is investigated. The nonlinear dispersion relation and the growth rate of instability are derived. The effects of plasmas number density, temperature, and laser intensity on the growth rate are analyzed. Results show that in an electron–positron plasma with certain background density, the intensity of the modulation instability is mainly determined by the competition between the nonlinearity in the interaction and the relativistic light ponderomotive driven density responses.     

Nonlinear propagation of weakly relativistic ion-acoustic waves in electron–positron–ion plasma

This work presents theoretical and numerical discussion on the dynamics of ion-acoustic solitary wave for weakly relativistic regime in unmagnetized plasma comprising non-extensive electrons, Boltzmann positrons and relativistic ions. In order to analyse the nonlinear propagation phenomena, the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation is derived using the well-known reductive perturbation method. The integration of the derived equation is carried out using the ansatz method and the generalized Riccati equation mapping method. The influence of plasma parameters on the amplitude and width of the soliton and the electrostatic nonlinear propagation of weakly relativistic ion-acoustic solitary waves are described. The obtained results of the nonlinear low-frequency waves in such plasmas may be helpful to understand various phenomena in astrophysical compact object and space physics.     

Low frequency electrostatic nonlinear structures in an inhomogeneous magnetized non-Maxwellian electron–positron–ion plasma

The properties of low frequency (coupled acoustic and drift wave) nonlinear structures including solitary waves and double layers in an inhomogeneous magnetized electron–positron–ion (EPI) nonthermal plasma with density and temperature inhomogeneities are studied in a simplified way. The nonlinear differential equation derived here for the study of double layers in the inhomogeneous EPI plasma resembles with the modified KdV equation in the stationary frame. But the method used for the derivation of nonlinear differential equation is simple and consistent to give both the stationary solitary waves and double layers. Further, the illustrations show that superthermality κ, drift velocity and temperature inhomogeneity have significant effects on the amplitude, width, and existence range of the structures.     

Nonlinear ion-acoustic structures in a nonextensive electron–positron–ion–dust plasma: Modulational instability and rogue waves

The nonlinear propagation of planar and nonplanar (cylindrical and spherical) ion-acoustic waves in an unmagnetized electron–positron–ion–dust plasma with two-electron temperature distributions is investigated in the context of the nonextensive statistics. Using the reductive perturbation method, a modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation is derived for the potential wave amplitude. The effects of plasma parameters on the modulational instability of ion-acoustic waves are discussed in detail for planar as well as for cylindrical and spherical geometries. In addition, for the planar case, we analyze how the plasma parameters influence the nonlinear structures of the first- and second-order ion-acoustic rogue waves within the modulational instability region. The present results may be helpful in providing a good fit between the theoretical analysis and real applications in future spatial observations and laboratory plasma experiments.     

Nonlinear propagation of an intense Laguerre–Gaussian laser pulse in a plasma channel

The nonlinear propagation of an intense Laguerre–Gaussian(LG) laser pulse in a parabolic preformed plasma channel is analyzed by means of the variational method. The evolution equation of the spot size is derived including the effects of relativistic self-focusing, preformed channel focusing, and ponderomotive self-channeling. The parametric conditions of the LG laser pulse and plasma channel for propagating with constant spot size, periodically focusing and defocusing oscillation,catastrophic focusing, and solitary waves are obtained. Compared with the laser pulse with fundamental Gaussian(FG)mode, it is found that the effect of vacuum diffraction is reduced by half and the effects of relativistic and wakefield focusing are decreased by a quarter due to the hollow transverse intensity profile of the LG laser pulse, while the effect of channel focusing is the same order of magnitude with that of the FG laser pulse. Thus, the matched condition for the intense LG laser pulse with constant spot size is released obviously, while the parameters of the laser and plasma for the existence of solitary waves nearly coincide with those of the FG laser pulse.     

Dynamical behaviour of non-linear quantum ion acoustic wave in weakly magnetized electron–positron–ion plasma

In order to investigate the propagation characteristics of linear and non-linear ion acoustic waves (IAWs) in electron–positron–ion quantum plasma in the presence of external weak magnetic field, we have used a quantum hydrodynamic model, and degenerate statistics for the electrons and positrons are taken into account. It is found that the linear dispersion relation of the IAW was modified by the externally applied magnetic field. By using the reductive perturbation technique, a gyration-modified Korteweg-de Vries equation is derived for finite amplitude non-linear IAWs. Time-dependent numerical simulation shows the formation of an oscillating tail in front of the ion acoustic solitons in the presence of a weak magnetic field. It is also seen that the amplitude and width of solitons and oscillating tails are affected by the relevant plasma parameters such as quantum diffraction, positron concentration, and magnetic field. We have performed our analysis by extending it to account for approximate soliton solution by asymptotic perturbation technique and non-linear analysis via a dynamical system approach. The analytical results show the distortion of the shape of the localized soliton with time, and the non-linear analysis confirms the generation of oscillating tails.     

Shape of ion energy spectra in ultra-short and intense laser–matter interaction

Structured proton spectra and a two-temperature electron distribution were simulated using a 1D3V particle-in-cell code for a plasma created by 35-fs laser pulses with an intensity of I10¹⁹ W/cm². Such a two-temperature electron distribution was used as a prerequisite for a fluid dynamical model allowing us to describe the experimentally measured deep dips in the proton energy spectra of laser-produced plasmas from water-droplet targets. PACS 52.50.Jm; 52.38.Kd; 41.75.Jv     

Magnetosonic shock waves in dense astrophysical electron–positron–ion plasmas

Multifluid quantum magnetohydrodynamic model (QMHD) is used to investigate small but finite amplitude magnetosonic shock waves in dense) electron–positron–ion (e–p–i) plasmas. The Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers (KdVB) equation is derived by using reductive perturbation method. It is noticed that variations in the positron density modify the profile of magnetosonic shocks in dense e–p–i plasmas significantly. The numerical results are also presented by taking into account the dense plasma parameters from published literature of astrophysical conditions, in compact stars.     

Nonplanar ion-acoustic shocks in electron–positron–ion plasmas: Effect of superthermal electrons

Ion-acoustic shock waves (IASWs) in a homogeneous unmagnetized plasma, comprising superthermal electrons, positrons, and singly charged adiabatically hot positive ions are investigated via two-dimensional nonplanar Kadomstev–Petviashvili–Burgers (KPB) equation. It is found that the profiles of the nonlinear shock structures depend on the superthermality of electrons. The influence of other plasma parameters such as, ion kinematic viscosity and ion temperature, is discussed in the presence of superthermal electrons in nonplanar geometry. It is also seen that the IASWs propagating in cylindrical/spherical geometry with transverse perturbation will be deformed as time goes on.     

Fast electron beam–plasma interaction in single-walled carbon nanotubes

A theoretical study on the plasmon-polariton modes coupled with a fast electron beam inside a metallic single-walled carbon nanotube is presented. The Maxwell’s equations coupled with a linearized hydrodynamic model for the nanotube’s charge oscillations are used. By considering the electron beam effects, general expression of dispersion relation of electromagnetic modes on nanotube’s surface is obtained. It is shown numerically that by considering the electron beam effects, the polariton frequency shifts to lower values.     

Modulation of ion sound excitations in electron–ion plasmas with double spectral index distribution function

Theoretical investigation of amplitude modulation of ion sound waves is presented here for an electron–ion plasma where the electrons are dictated by the double spectral index (r, q) distribution function. Using the standard reductive perturbative technique, a non-linear Schrödinger (NLS) equation is derived that describes the evolution of modulated ion sound envelope excitations. Stability analysis of the NLS equation shows that the ion sound waves remain stable for the flat-topped and kappa-like distributions, but they can become unstable for the spiky electron velocity distribution. It is shown that changing the electron population in regions of low and high phase space density regions results in remarkable features that have no equivalent in ion sound waves with Boltzmannian electrons. Different types of localized ion sound excitations are plotted for the different shapes of the distribution functions controlled by the double spectral indices, and the underlying physics is discussed in detail. The present investigation may be beneficial to understand ion sound excitations in space plasmas where the distribution functions of the shapes presented here are frequently encountered by the satellite missions.     

Heavy ion–acoustic rogue waves in magnetized electron–positron multi-ion plasmas

Non-linear heavy ion-acoustic waves (HIAWs) are studied in a homogeneous magnetized four-component multi-ion plasma composed of inertial heavy negative ions, light positive ions, and inertia-less non-extensive electrons and positrons. The non-linear Schrödinger equation is derived in this model using the perturbation method. The criteria for modulational instability of HIAWs and the basic features of finite-amplitude heavy ion acoustic rogue waves (HIARWs) are investigated. The presence of the magnetic field was found to reduce the amplitude of HIARWs and enhances the stability. It is interesting to note that increasing positive ion mass causes decreases in the amplitude and width of rogue waves, which is opposite behaviour to that demonstrated in the previous study of these waves in an unmagnetized plasma. Furthermore, it is also shown that striking parameters, such as the non-extensive parameter, the positron number density, the electron number density, the electron temperature, and the magnetic field parameter, play an undeniable role on the stability of waves packets. The findings of the present investigation may be of wide relevance to some plasma environments, such as active galactic nuclei, pulsar magnetospheres, and other magnetic confinement systems.     

Generation of femtosecond X-ray pulses via laser–electron beam interaction

The generation of femtosecond X-ray pulses will have important scientific applications by enabling the direct measurement of atomic motion and structural dynamics in condensed matter on the fundamental time scale of a vibrational period. Interaction of femtosecond laser pulses with relativistic electron beams is an effective approach to generating femtosecond pulses of X-rays. In this paper we present recent results from proof-of-principle experiments in which 300 fs pulses are generated from a synchrotron storage ring by using an ultrashort optical pulse to create femtosecond time structure on the stored electron bunch. A previously demonstrated approach for generating femtosecond X-rays via Thomson scattering between terawatt laser pulses and relativistic electrons is reviewed and compared with storage-ring based schemes.     

Modulational instability of ion—acoustic waves in a warm plasma

Using the standard reductive perturbation technique,a nonlinear Schroedinger equation is derived to study the modulational instability of finite-amplitude ion-acoustic waves in a non-magnetized warm plasma.It is found that the inclusion of ion temperature in the equation modifies the nature of the ion-acoustic wave stability and the soliton stuctures.The effects of ion plasma temperature on the modulational stability and ion-acoustic wave properties are inestigated in detail.     

Spin correlations in nonperturbative electron–positron pair creation by petawatt laser pulses colliding with a TeV proton beam

The influence of the electron spin degree of freedom on nonperturbative electron–positron pair production by high-energy proton impact on an intense laser field of circular polarization is analyzed. Predictions from the Dirac and Klein–Gordon theories are compared and a spin-resolved calculation is performed. We show that the various spin configurations possess very different production probabilities and discuss the transfer of helicity in this highly nonlinear process. Our predictions could be tested by combining the few-TeV proton beam at CERN-LHC with an intense laser pulse from a table-top petawatt laser source.     

Neutralization of an ion beam from the end-Hall ion source by a plasma electron source based on a discharge in crossed E × H fields

The possibility of using a plasma electron source (PES) with a discharge in crossed E × H field for compensating the ion beam from an end-Hall ion source (EHIS) is analyzed. The PES used as a neutralizer is mounted in the immediate vicinity of the EHIS ion generation and acceleration region at 90° to the source axis. The behavior of the discharge and emission parameters of the EHIS is determined for operation with a filament neutralizer and a plasma electron source. It is found that the maximal discharge current from the ion source attains a value of 3.8 A for operation with a PES and 4 A for operation with a filament compensator. It is established that the maximal discharge current for the ion source strongly depends on the working gas flow rate for low flow rates (up to 10 ml/min) in the EHIS; for higher flow rates, the maximum discharge current in the EHIS depends only on the emissivity of the PES. Analysis of the emission parameters of EHISs with filament and plasma neutralizers shows that the ion beam current and the ion current density distribution profile are independent of the type of the electron source and the ion current density can be as high as 0.2 mA/cm² at a distance of 25 cm from the EHIS anode. The balance of currents in the ion source-electron source system is considered on the basis of analysis of operation of EHISs with various sources of electrons. It is concluded that the neutralization current required for operation of an ion source in the discharge compensation mode must be equal to or larger than the discharge current of the ion source. The use of PES for compensating the ion beam from an end-Hall ion source proved to be effective in processes of ion-assisted deposition of thin films using reactive gases like O₂ or N₂. The application of the PES technique makes it possible to increase the lifetime of the ion-assisted deposition system by an order of magnitude (the lifetime with a Ti cathode is at least 60 h and is limited by the replacement life of the deposited cathode insertion).     

Dependence of the beam–channel interaction force on the radial profiles of a relativistic electron beam and an ion channel in the ion-focusing regime

Technical Physics - We have derived the formulas for calculating the force of the interaction of a relativistic electron beam with an ion plasma channel in the case of the beam transportation...