Resistivity contribution to stopping power and plasma heating by laser-accelerated electrons

Abstract

A model of plasma stopping power with respect to laser-accelerated electrons is generalized. The model includes both main mechanisms of fast electron energy loss caused by Coulomb collisions with plasma electrons and ions (“collisional” mechanism), and by the field of resistive plasma current (“Ohmic” mechanism). The results are used to develop an analytical model of plasma heating by fast electrons with energies corresponding to the wide range of energy flux density of laser pulse capable to provide an intense generation of these particles. It is shown that the contribution of the Ohmic stopping power component has a significant effect on the dynamics of plasma heating by high-current fast electron beam generated by short femtosecond and picosecond laser pulses of petawatt power.