Enhanced propagation for relativistic laser pulses in inhomogeneous plasmas using hollow channels

• Published in: Physical review letters Vol. 105; no. 22; p. 225001
• Main Authors: Fuchs, J, d'Humières, E, Sentoku, Y, Antici, P, Atzeni, S, Bandulet, H, Depierreux, S, Labaune, C, Schiavi, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 26.11.2010
• ISSN: 1079-7114
• DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.105.225001

The influence of long (several millimeters) and hollow channels, bored in inhomogeneous ionized plasma by using a long pulse laser beam, on the propagation of short, ultraintense laser pulses has been studied. Compared to the case without a channel, propagation in channels significantly improves beam transmission and maintains a beam quality close to propagation in vacuum. In addition, the growth of the forward-Raman instability is strongly reduced. These results are beneficial for the direct scheme of the fast ignitor concept of inertial confinement fusion as we demonstrate, in fast-ignition-relevant conditions, that with such channels laser energy can be carried through increasingly dense plasmas close to the fuel core with minimal losses.