Abstract
The onset of laser beam filamentation in a preformed nonuniform plasma is investigated by using a two-dimensional computer code in which time-dependent plasma hydrodynamics and heat transport effects are accounted for. Laser beam propagation is modeled using a paraxial wave approximation-refraction, diffraction, absorption, and ponderomotive force effects are accounted for. The simulations reveal details by which multifilamentary plasma and laser beam structures evolve in the region near the critical density surface. For the particular case of a 1.05 μm laser beam with an intensity of 1015 W/cm2 incident on a long scale length preformed plasma, a consistent treatment of the ponderomotive forces and of the plasma dynamics is found to be essential in determining the evolution of the filamentary structures.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 893-900 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Physics of Fluids B |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 1989 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computational Mechanics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Mechanics of Materials
- General Physics and Astronomy
- Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes