Observation of VUV radiation at wavelengths in the ωp- and 2ωp-wavelength range emitted from femtosecond laser-plasmas

• Published in: Optics communications Vol. 144; no. 4-6; pp. 217 - 221
• Main Authors: Teubner, U., Altenbernd, D., Gibbon, P., Förster, E., Mysyrowicz, A., Audebert, P., Geindre, J.-P., Gauthier, J.C., Lichters, R., Meyer-ter-Vehn, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.12.1997; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Emission, absorption, and scattering of ultraviolet radiation; Exact sciences and technology; Fast electron generation; Frequency conversion ; harmonic generation, including high-order harmonic generation; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Harmonic generation; Harmonic generation, frequency conversion; High-intensity femtosecond laser pulses; Laser plasma; Laser-plasma interactions; Nonlinear optics; Optics; Physics; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma diagnostic; Plasma properties; Plasma waves; 33.20.Ni; 52.25.Qt; High-intensity femtosecond laser pulses; Plasma diagnostic; 52.40.Nk; 42.65.ky; Fast electron generation; Laser plasma; Harmonic generation; 52.65.−y; Plasma waves; Plasma diagnostics; Simulation; Theoretical study; fs range; Radiation matter interactions; Experimental study; Pulsed lasers; Nonlinear optics; Extreme ultraviolet spectra
• ISSN: 0030-4018; 1873-0310
• DOI: 10.1016/S0030-4018(97)00468-9

Electromagnetic emission close to multiples of the plasma frequency ωp has been observed experimentally from short-pulse laser-irradiated solid targets. Such radiation may be generated by a two-step process in which hot electron jets excite Langmuir waves in the overdense region, which then undergo parametric conversion to electromagnetic emission at harmonics of the plasma frequency ωp. The observations are supported by particle-in-cell simulations, suggesting that this radiation may be exploited as a density diagnostic.