Studies of intense-laser plasma instabilities

0397262 - FZÚ 2014 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Láska, Leoš - Krása, Josef - Badziak, J. - Jungwirth, Karel - Krouský, Eduard - Margarone, Daniele - Parys, P.
Studies of intense-laser plasma instabilities.
Applied Surface Science. Roč. 272, May (2013), 94-98. ISSN 0169-4332. E-ISSN 1873-5584
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT(CZ) 7E09092; GA MŠMT(CZ) LC528; GA AV ČR IAA100100715
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10100523
Keywords : laser plasma instabilities * self-generated magnetic field * longitudinal structure of the expanding plasma
Subject RIV: BL - Plasma and Gas Discharge Physics
Impact factor: 2.538, year: 2013

The PALS high power iodine laser system in Prague (λ = 1.315 μm) was used to study non-linear processes in a laser-produced plasma at intense laser beam interactions with planar targets. The focus setting allows to alter the non-linear interaction of the main laser pulse with the ablated plasma produced by the front edge of a nanosecond laser pulse (300 ps FWHM). The arisen non-linear effects significantly influence the behavior of electrons, which accelerate fully striped or highly charged fast ions. Variations in time of the expanding plasma, recorded at the target surface by the use of Kentech low-magnification soft X-ray streak camera on ~2 ns time scale, are presented and discussed. Narrowing, arching and even splitting of expansion paths in the target-normal space-time diagram are shown. These phenomena are ascribed to the magnetic field, self-generated at high laser intensities, which may become strong enough to cause pinching of the expanding plasma.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0224874