Theory of ions emitted from a plasma by relativistic self-focusing of laser beams
- 1 January 1992
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review A
- Vol. 45 (2) , 1278-1281
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.45.1278
Abstract
Fast ions are emitted from the focus of a high-intensity laser beam irradiating a plasma. The self-focusing of the laser beam is caused by the dependence of the index of refraction on the relativistic mass of the electrons, which again depends on the electric-field strength. The ions are accelerated out of the laser focus due to the combined action of nonlinear forces and double layers. Results for the maximal energy and angular distribution of the ions are presented and compared with experimental data.Keywords
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