Abstract
A model of relaxing ponderomotive nonlinearity is developed to study the nonstationary self-focusing of a Gaussian laser pulse in a plasma. The ponderomotive force acts on the electrons instantaneously but the plasma density redistribution via the process of ambipolar diffusion is taken to evolve on the time scale τR≅r0/cs, where r0 is the laser spot size and cs is the sound speed. The paraxial ray approximation is used to solve the wave equation. The focusing is stronger at the rear of the pulse than at the front, causing considerable distortion of the pulse when pulse duration is comparable to nonlinearity relaxation time. The saturation effect of nonlinearity leads to focusing of any portion of the pulse to a minimum spot size r0fmin at an optimum distance zop and then the spot size increases. fmin and zop depend on the intensity of the portion of the pulse.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
