A selection of theoretical results in the context of laser-plasma interaction and inertial fusion

Abstract

I recall a selection of my results of the last 40 years. I first present a theoretical model of absorption of laser light by a plasma, with an emphasis on its dependence on the laser intensity and wavelength. A second topic concerns the nonlinear and nonlocal electron transport in steep temperature gradients. Thirdly, I present the work on the propagation of a short intense laser pulse in tenuous plasmas. Finally, I discuss the plasma expansion into a vacuum, in particular the structure of the ion front and the prediction of the maximum velocity attained by the ions in the expansion.