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Plasma waveguides efficiently generated by Bessel beams in elongated cluster gas jets
H Sheng1, K Y Kim, V Kumarappan
1Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|October 26, 2005
Summary
This study shows how to create plasma waveguides in gas clusters using Bessel beams, achieving over 10x greater absorption for long laser pulses compared to standard gas targets.
Area of Science:
- Plasma physics
- Laser-plasma interactions
- Nanoparticle science
Background:
- Plasma waveguides are crucial for high-intensity laser propagation.
- Gas clusters offer unique plasma properties but their interaction with long laser pulses is complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate efficient plasma waveguide generation in elongated cluster gas jets.
- To investigate the enhanced absorption of long laser pulses in these waveguides.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 100 ps axicon-generated Bessel beam pump pulses.
- Employed picosecond interferometry to study plasma waveguide evolution.
- Compared absorption in cluster jets versus unclustered gas targets.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated small-radius plasma waveguides with densities as low as 10^18 cm^-3.
- Observed long pulse absorption efficiencies over 10 times greater than in unclustered gas.
- Achieved a maximum absorption of 35% in cluster jets.
Conclusions:
- Clustered gases act as a supercharged preionization scheme for long laser pulses.
- The enhanced absorption is attributed to rapid evolution of heated clusters into cool, uniform plasma.
- This technique enables efficient plasma waveguide generation and enhanced laser absorption.
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