TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-focusing, channel formation, and high-energy ion generation in interaction of an intense short laser pulse with a he jet
AU - Sarkisov, G. S.
AU - Bychenkov, V. Yu
AU - Novikov, V. N.
AU - Tikhonchuk, V. T.
AU - Maksimchuk, A.
AU - Chen, S. Y.
AU - Wagner, R.
AU - Mourou, G.
AU - Umstadter, D.
PY - 1999
Y1 - 1999
N2 - Using interferometry, we investigate the dynamics of interaction of a relativistically intense 4-TW, 400-fs laser pulse with a He gas jet. We observe a stable plasma channel 1 mm long and less than 30 [Formula Presented]m in diameter, with a radial gradient of electron density [Formula Presented] [Formula Presented] and with an on-axis electron density approximately ten times less than its maximum value of [Formula Presented] [Formula Presented] A high radial velocity of the surrounding gas ionization of [Formula Presented] cm/s has been observed after the channel formation, and it is attributed to the fast ions expelled from the laser channel and propagating radially outward. We developed a kinetic model which describes the plasma channel formation and the subsequent ambient gas excitation and ionization. Comparing the model predictions with the interferometric data, we reconstructed the axial profile of laser channel and on-axis laser intensity. The estimated maximum energy of accelerated ions is about 500 keV, and the total energy of the fast ions is 5% of the laser pulse energy.
AB - Using interferometry, we investigate the dynamics of interaction of a relativistically intense 4-TW, 400-fs laser pulse with a He gas jet. We observe a stable plasma channel 1 mm long and less than 30 [Formula Presented]m in diameter, with a radial gradient of electron density [Formula Presented] [Formula Presented] and with an on-axis electron density approximately ten times less than its maximum value of [Formula Presented] [Formula Presented] A high radial velocity of the surrounding gas ionization of [Formula Presented] cm/s has been observed after the channel formation, and it is attributed to the fast ions expelled from the laser channel and propagating radially outward. We developed a kinetic model which describes the plasma channel formation and the subsequent ambient gas excitation and ionization. Comparing the model predictions with the interferometric data, we reconstructed the axial profile of laser channel and on-axis laser intensity. The estimated maximum energy of accelerated ions is about 500 keV, and the total energy of the fast ions is 5% of the laser pulse energy.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0001706273&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevE.59.7042
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevE.59.7042
M3 - Article
C2 - 11969693
AN - SCOPUS:0001706273
SN - 1063-651X
VL - 59
SP - 7042
EP - 7054
JO - Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
JF - Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
IS - 6
ER -