The transition from plasma gratings to cavitons in laser-plasma interactions

Abstract

One-dimensional Vlasov–Maxwell simulations of laser-plasma interactions are presented. It is shown that plasma gratings and density cavitons are formed sequentially. There are strong electromagnetic fields in the cavitons and the electromagnetic structures are nearly standing and long-lived. The formation of gratings and cavitons can be explained by a nonlinear second-order differential equation. The electromagnetic fields trapped in cavitons have both subcycle and cycle structures. Plasma whose density is higher than the critical density can be formed around the cavitons. Gratings and high density plasmas can reflect light in a very high level. This may be detrimental to the inertial confinement fusion.