Enhanced Specular Reflection from a Laser-Produced Plasma Corona

Abstract
We show that nonpropagating density ripples are produced in a flowing laser-produced plasma corona by the ponderomotive force of the incident light and the light reflected from the critical surface. These ripples are not related to instability but rather are an equilibrium feature of the flow. Under certain conditions they can significantly increase specular reflection and reduce the amount of light reaching the critical surface.