Profile modification by light pressure in plasmas expanding with uniform, time-dependent temperature

Abstract
Profile modification of laser plasmas, in the transition layer at critical density and in the flow on the overdense side, is studied. Assuming isothermal flow and low absorption within the layer, compression transitions are proved impossible and cavities possible only in subsonic flow. The overdense flow adjusts itself for a rarefaction transition in a manner (formation of plateaus, bumps, or cavities) critically dependent on how the (spatially uniform) temperature varies with time. Spherical effects and evidence for the results are considered