Ultrahigh acceleration of plasma by picosecond terawatt laser pulses for fast ignition of fusion

• Published in: Laser and particle beams Vol. 30; no. 2; pp. 233 - 242
• Main Authors: Lalousis, P., Földes, I.B., Hora, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.06.2012
• Subjects: Deuterium; Doppler effect; Electron clouds; Flame propagation; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Fluid mechanics; Hydrodynamics; Ignition; Inertia; Lasers; Particle beams; Plasma; Plasma acceleration; Plasma physics; Space charge; Temperature effects; Tritium; Uncompressed fusion fuel; Laser driven fusion energy; Fast ignition; Fusion flame; Nonlinear (ponderomotive) force acceleration; Side-on ignition

A fundamental different mechanism dominates laser interaction with picosecond-terawatt pulses in contrast to the thermal-pressure processes with ns pulses. At ps-interaction, the thermal effects are mostly diminished and the nonlinear (ponderomotive) forces convert laser energy instantly with nearly...