Investigation of self-focusing a Gaussian laser pulse in a weakly relativistic and ponderomotive regime inside a collisionless warm quantum plasma

This article investigates nonlinear self-focusing of an intense right hand circularly polarized Gaussian profile laser pulse in a weakly relativistic and ponderomotive regime inside a collisionless and unmagnetized warm quantum plasma. The nonlinear propagation equation for laser pulse in plasma has been derived. Then, the evolution differential equation for laser spot-size was obtained with considering the parabolic equation approach under the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin and paraxial ray approximations. This differential equation was solved numerically by fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. It is shown that our solution confirms the results of the self-focusing of the laser pulse in a weakly relativistic ponderomotive regime in cold quantum plasma in extreme conditions. Numerical results indicate that self-focusing of the laser pulse in the presence of relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearity inside warm quantum plasma is improved in comparison with relativistic and ponderomotive cold quantum plasma.     

Impact of light absorption and temperature on self-focusing of zeroth-order Bessel–Gauss beams in a plasma with relativistic–ponderomotive regime

The influence of light absorption and temperature on self-focusing of zeroth-order Bessel–Gauss beams through plasma, with relativistic–ponderomotive regime, is investigated in this paper. The nonlinear differential equation for beam-width is established by using parabolic equation approach under Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) paraxial approximation and solved numerically. The numerical results show the effects of beam parameter, relative density plasma, intensity parameter, absorption coefficient and plasma electron temperature on self-focusing of zeroth-order Bessel–Gauss beams in plasma. The self-focusing of Gaussian beams in the considered plasma is also deduced as a particular case in the present work.     

Quadruple Gaussian Laser Beam Profile Dynamics in Collisionless Magnetized Plasma

This paper presents an investigation of self-focusing of a quadruple Gaussian laser beam in collisionless magnetized plasma. The nonlinearity due to ponderomotive force which arises on account of nonuniform intensity distribution of the laser beam is considered. The nonlinear partial differential equation governing the evaluation of complex envelope in the slowly varying envelope approximation is solved using a paraxial formalism. The self-focusing mechanism in magnetized plasma, in the presence of self-compression mechanism will be analyzed in contrast to the case in which it is absent. It can be observed that, in case of ponderomotive nonlinearity, the self-compression mechanism obstructs the pulse self-focusing above a certain intensity value. The effect of an external magnetic field is to generate pulses with smaller spot size and shorter compression length. The lateral separation parameter and the initial intensity of the laser beam play a crucial role on focusing and compression parameters. Also, the three-dimensional analysis of pulse propagation is presented by coupling the self-focusing equation with the self-compression one.     

Quadruple Gaussian Laser Beam Profile Dynamics in Collisionless Magnetized Plasma

This paper presents an investigation of self-focusing of a quadruple Gaussian laser beam in collisionless magnetized plasma. The nonlinearity due to ponderomotive force which arises on account of nonuniform intensity distribution of the laser beam is considered. The nonlinear partial differential equation governing the evaluation of complex envelope in the slowly varying envelope approximation is solved using a paraxial formalism. The self-focusing mechanism in magnetized plasma, in the presence of self-compression mechanism will be analyzed in contrast to the case in which it is absent. It can be observed that, in case of ponderomotive nonlinearity, the self-compression mechanism obstructs the pulse self-focusing above a certain intensity value. The effect of an external magnetic field is to generate pulses with smaller spot size and shorter compression length. The lateral separation parameter and the initial intensity of the laser beam play a crucial role on focusing and compression parameters. Also, the three-dimensional analysis of pulse propagation is presented by coupling the self-focusing equation with the self-compression one.     

Distribution regimes of intense laser beam in a self-consistent plasma channel

In the present work, we investigate the distributed regimes of an intense laser beam in a self-consistent plasma channel. As the intensity of the laser beam increases, the relativistic mass effect as well as the ponderomotive expulsion of electrons modifies the dielectric function of the medium due to which the medium exhibits nonlinearity. Based on Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin and paraxial ray theory, the steady-state solution of an intense, Gaussian electromagnetic beam is studied. A differential equation of the beamwidth parameter with the distance of propagation is derived, including the effects of relativistic self-focusing (SF) and ponderomotive self-channeling. The nature of propagation and radial dynamics of the beam in plasma depend on the power, width of the beam, and Ω _p, the ratio of plasma to wave frequency. For a given value of Ω _p (<1), the distribution regimes have been obtained in beampower–beamwidth plane, characterizing the regimes of propagation as steady divergence, oscillatory divergence, and SF. The related focusing parameters are optimized introducing plasma density ramp function, and spot size of the laser beam is analyzed for inhomogeneous plasma. This results in overcoming the diffraction and guiding the laser beam over long distance. Numerical computations are performed for typical parameters of relativistic laser–plasma interaction studies.     

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 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.     

Effect of Critical Beam Radius on Self-focusing of cosh-Gaussian Laser Beams in Collisionless Magnetized Plasma

Effect of critical beam radius on self-focusing of cosh-Gaussian laser beams in collisionless magnetized plasma under ponderomotive nonlinearity forms the main core of present work. To investigate propagation dynamics of cosh-Gaussian laser beams in collisionless magnetized plasma, well established parabolic equation approach under WKB and paraxial approximations is employed. Our study is crucially pivoted on the concept of critical curve and subsequent determination of numerical interval for decentered parameter to sustain the competition between diffraction and self-focusing during the propagation of laser beam. Additionally, in the present study an interesting feature in the self-focusing region of the critical curve has been attempted for different values of decentered parameter.     

Effect of Critical Beam Radius on Self-focusing of cosh-Gaussian Laser Beams in Collisionless Magnetized Plasma

Effect of critical beam radius on self-focusing of cosh-Gaussian laser beams in collisionless magnetized plasma under ponderomotive nonlinearity forms the main core of present work. To investigate propagation dynamics of cosh-Gaussian laser beams in collisionless magnetized plasma, well established parabolic equation approach under WKB and paraxial approximations is employed. Our study is crucially pivoted on the concept of critical curve and subsequent determination of numerical interval for decentered parameter to sustain the competition between diffraction and self-focusing during the propagation of laser beam. Additionally, in the present study an interesting feature in the self-focusing region of the critical curve has been attempted for different values of decentered parameter.     

超强短脉冲激光在不同密度分布等离子体中的自聚焦

讨论高斯型强激光束在具有初始柱对称密度分布的低密度冷等离子体中传播时，等离子体密度分布的不同对激光自聚焦的影响.推导出可以判断更有利于自聚焦发生的评价函数，这样通过比较不同密度分布的评价函数值就可以判断哪种密度分布更有利于自聚焦的发生.为了说明这种方法的有效性，对评价函数进行分析得出：在相同的激光场中等离子体柱的轴心密度给定时(以激光的光轴为轴)，离轴越远的地方密度越大及密度变化越陡，自聚焦越容易发生；相对论效应与有质动力共同作用比相对论的单独作用，自聚焦更容易发生.数值模拟证实了评价函数能准确的预测在不 关键词： 自聚焦 相对论效应 有质动力 评价函数     

Self-Focusing and de-Focusing of Intense Left- and Right-Hand Polarized Laser Pulse in Hot Magnetized Plasma in the Presence of an External Non-Uniform Magnetized Field

In this paper, self-focusing of an intense circularly polarized laser beam in the presence of a non-uniform positive guide magnetic field with slope constant parameter δ in hot magnetized plasma, using Maxwell’s equations and relativistic fluid momentum equation is investigated. An envelope equation governing the spot-size of laser beam for both of left- and right-hand polarizations has been derived, and the effects of the plasma temperature and magnetic field on the electron density distribution of hot plasma with respect to variation of normalized laser spot-size has been studied. Numerical results show that self-focusing is better increased in the presence of an external non-uniform magnetic field. Moreover, in plasma density profile, self-focusing of the laser pulse improves in comparison with no non-uniform magnetic field. Also, with increasing slope of constant parameter of the non-uniform magnetic field, the self-focusing increases, and subsequently, the spot-size of laser pulse propagated through the hot magnetized plasma decreases.     

Effect of light absorption and temperature on self-focusing of finite Airy–Gaussian beams in a plasma with relativistic and ponderomotive regime

In the present paper, we have studied the influence of light absorption and temperature on self-focusing of finite Airy–Gaussian beams in plasma by considering the combined effects of relativistic and the ponderomotive regime. The nonlinear differential equations of dimensionless beam-width parameter are derived using the paraxial ray and Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin approximation, and they are solved numerically. The effect of absorption coefficient, plasma electron temperature, relative plasma density, intensity parameter and modulation parameter beam on the self-focusing of finite Airy–Gaussian beams in plasma is presented numerically and discussed.     

Non-paraxial theory of self-defocusing/focusing of a laser pulse in a multiple-ionizing gas

The self-focusing of a laser pulse through a tunnel ionizing gas (helium) has been studied in both non-relativistic and relativistic regimes, relaxing the near-axis approximation. In the non-relativistic regime, the laser pulse produces multiple ionization of the gas and faces strong defocusing due to the steep radial density gradient caused by the same. The uneven defocusing of paraxial and marginal rays leads to a beam acquiring a ring shaped intensity distribution. In the relativistic regime, the laser pulse produces fully ionized plasma within a few wave periods, subsequently the relativistic mass effect and the ponderomotive force induced electron cavitation cause periodic self-focusing. PACS 52.38.Hb; 42.65.Jx     

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.     

在稀薄等离子体中激光传播的相对论自聚焦

讨论超强、超短脉冲激光在稀薄等离子体中传播过程的某些性质;用二维快速傅立叶变换求解波动方程.相对论自聚焦的基本方程包括非线性源项和衍射的影响.由于有质动力和相对论的影响,使等离子体的频率降低,从而使折射指数发生改变,影响激光在等离子体中的传播.在入射激光功率(p)超过临界功率(p_c)时,激光在传播过程中产生自聚焦;反之,激光在传播过程中逐渐衰减,不产生自聚焦.     

Relativistic channel-coupling focusing enhanced nonlinear guiding of an intense laser beam in a plasma channel

We employ the variational method to study the optical guiding of an intense laser beam in a preformed plasma channel without using the weakly relativistic approximation. Apart from the dependence on the laser power and the nonlinear channel strength parameter, the beam focusing properties is shown also to be governed by the laser intensity. Relativistic channel-coupling focusing, arising from the coupling between relativistic self-focusing and linear channel focusing, can enhance relativistic self-focusing but its strength is weaker than that of linear channel focusing.     

Self-focusing and defocusing of cosh Gaussian laser beam in the presence of nonlinearity of ponderomotive force and temperature gradient

In this paper, the propagation of Cosh Gaussian laser beam and its interaction with isothermal plasma without temperature gradient as well as the effect of the exponential electron temperature gradient are investigated. Here the ponderomotive nonlinearity force is effective mechanism. This force can modify the electron density distribution. All the investigations are carried out for different initial plasma temperatures. Using Maxwell’s equations we obtained the nonlinear second-order differential equation of the dimensionless beam-width parameter (f) on the distance of propagation for several initial electron temperatures and exponential temperature variations. These equations are solved numerically by taking WKB and paraxial approximation. Under the effect of initial electron temperature, self-focusing and defocusing of hyperbolic cosine (cosh) Gaussian laser beam is distinguished. Furthermore, the exponential temperature gradient cause to stationary propagation mode breaks, and self-focusing or defocusing properties is observable.     

Relativistic self-focusing and self-channeling of Gaussian laser beam in plasma

In the present paper, we have studied the self-focusing of a laser beam in a relativistic plasma. We have set up the non-linear differential equation for the beam width parameter of the main beam by using the moment theory approach and solved it numerically by the Runge–Kutta method. The results obtained are in agreement with the findings of the simulation (3D PIC). A new stable form of self-channeling propagation has also been observed.     

Relativistic nonlinearity and wave-guide propagation of rippled laser beam in plasma

In the present paper we have investigated the self-focusing behaviour of radially symmetrical rippled Gaussian laser beam propagating in a plasma. Considering the nonlinearity to arise from relativistic phenomena and following the approach of Akhmanov et al, which is based on the WKB and paraxial-ray approximation, the self-focusing behaviour has been investigated in some detail. The effect of the position and width of the ripple on the self-focusing of laser beam has been studied for arbitrary large magnitude of nonlinearity. Results indicate that the medium behaves as an oscillatory wave-guide. The self-focusing is found to depend on the position parameter of ripple as well as on the beam width. Values of critical power has been calculated for different values of the position parameter of ripple. Effects of axially and radially inhomogeneous plasma on self-focusing behaviour have been investigated and presented here.