Relativistic laser propagation through underdense and overdense plasmas

Attosecond electron sheets and attosecond light pulses from relativistic laser wakefields in underdense plasmas

A method for producing dense attosecond electron sheets (tens nanometers thick corresponding to attosecond duration) and single intense attosecond light pulse is reported based on relativistic laser wakefields in underdense plasmas. By making use of gas targets this method allows for high repetition rates required for applications.

Focus optimization of relativistic self-focusing for anomalous laser penetration into overdense plasmas (super-penetration)

Relativistic electron motion in a plasma due to an intense laser pulse modifies the refractive index and leads to two effects: relativistic induced transparency and relativistic self-focusing. A combination of the above two effects enables transmission of laser energy deep into plasmas which is useful for fast ignition of inertial fusion. This so-called super-penetration sensitively depends on ...

Propagation of short electron pulses in underdense plasmas.

Our program for an experimental plasma wake field accelerator (PWFA) to take place at the Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA) facility, in the recently proposed blow-out regime]11 relies on the propagation of an intense electron beam through an underdense plasma with a minimum of degradation. This paper presents a near-equilibrium model of beam propagation using the Maxwell-Vlasov equations gov...

Study of Laser-Hole Boring into Overdense Plasmas.

Self-guiding of ultrashort, relativistically intense laser pulses through underdense plasmas in the blowout regime.

The self-guiding of relativistically intense but ultrashort laser pulses has been experimentally investigated as a function of laser power, plasma density, and plasma length in the blowout regime. The extent of self-guiding, observed by imaging the plasma exit, is shown to be limited by nonlinear pump depletion with observed self-guiding of over tens of Rayleigh lengths. Spectrally resolved ima...