Bursts of Superreflected Laser Light from Inhomogeneous Plasmas due to the Generation of Relativistic Solitary Waves

Abstract

In an inhomogeneous plasma, low-frequency solitary waves, generated by superintense laser pulses, are accelerated towards the plasma-vacuum interface where they radiate their energy in the form of low-frequency electromagnetic bursts. The transverse inhomogeneity of the plasma inside the self-focusing radiation channel leads to guiding of the solitary waves. These solitary waves excite a two-ribbon magnetic field structure in their wake. These phenomena have been studied with two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and are expected to be observed in present-day laser-plasma experiments.