Self-focusing Of Beam Research Articles

Laser beam self-focusing in turbulent dissipative media.

A high-power laser beam propagating through a dielectric in the presence of fluctuations is subject to diffraction, dissipation, and optical Kerr nonlinearity. A method of moments was applied to a stochastic, nonlinear enveloped wave equation to analyze the evolution of the long-term spot radius. For propagation in atmospheric turbulence described by a Kolmogorov-von Kármán spectral density, the analysis was benchmarked against field experiments in the low-power limit and compared with simulation results in the high-power regime. Dissipation reduced the effect of self-focusing and led to chromatic aberration.

高斯光束小尺度自聚焦的临界功率

高斯光束小尺度自聚焦的临界功率

Self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in weakly relativistic and ponderomotive cold quantum plasma

The paper presents investigation on self-focusing and self-phase modulation of Gaussian laser beam in a weakly relativistic and ponderomotive regime by taking into account the quantum effects. We have reported additional self-focusing for reduced value of beam width parameter on account of nonlinear dielectric contribution of relativistic ponderomotive plasma. Moreover, the significant contribution of the quantum effects to enhance the self-focusing and minimize the longitudinal phase shift has been noticed. A comparison has also been attempted with relativistic and ponderomotive, relativistic cold quantum and classical relativistic regimes. In the present investigation, we have observed that for the case of relativistic ponderomotive cold quantum plasma, the focusing is found to be earlier and strongest. Also, the minimum amount of phase shift is obtained. We have setup the nonlinear differential equations for the beam-width parameter and self-phase modulation by using variational approach and solved them numerically by the Runge-Kutta method.

Influence of Xe and Kr impurities on x-ray yield from debris-free plasma x-ray sources with an Ar supersonic gas jet irradiated by femtosecond near-infrared-wavelength laser pulses.

Many aspects of physical phenomena occurring when an intense laser pulse with subpicosecond duration and an intensity of 10^{18}-10^{19}W/cm^{2} heats an underdense plasma in a supersonic clustered gas jet are studied to determine the relative contribution of thermal and nonthermal processes to soft- and hard-x-ray emission from debris-free plasmas. Experiments were performed at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Leopard laser operated with a 15-J, 350-fs pulse and different pulse contrasts (10^{7} or 10^{5}). The supersonic linear (elongated) nozzle generated Xe cluster-monomer gas jets as well as jets with Kr-Ar or Xe-Kr-Ar mixtures with densities of 10^{18}-10^{19}cm^{-3}. Prior to laser heating experiments, all jets were probed with optical interferometry and Rayleigh scattering to measure jet density and cluster distribution parameters. The supersonic linear jet provides the capability to study the anisotropy of x-ray yield from laser plasma and also laser beam self-focusing in plasma, which leads to efficient x-ray generation. Plasma diagnostics included x-ray diodes, pinhole cameras, and spectrometers. Jet signatures of x-ray emission from pure Xe gas, as well as from a mixture with Ar and Kr, was found to be very different. The most intense x-ray emission in the 1-9 KeV spectral region was observed from gas mixtures rather than pure Xe. Also, this x-ray emission was strongly anisotropic with respect to the direction of laser beam polarization. Non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (Non-LTE) models have been implemented to analyze the x-ray spectra to determine the plasma temperature and election density. Evidence of electron beam generation in the supersonic jet plasma was found. The influence of the subpicosecond laser pulse contrast (a ratio between the laser peak intensity and pedestal pulse intensity) on the jets' x-ray emission characteristics is discussed. Surprisingly, it was found that the x-ray yield was not sensitive to the prepulse contrast ratio.

Nonlinear dynamics of 3D beams of fast magnetosonic waves propagating in the ionospheric and magnetospheric plasma

On the basis of the model of the three-dimensional (3D) generalized Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation for magnetic field h = B~/B the formation, stability, and dynamics of 3D soliton-like structures, such as the beams of fast magnetosonic (FMS) waves generated in ionospheric and magnetospheric plasma at a low-frequency branch of oscillations when β = 4πnT/B2 ≪ 1 and β > 1, are studied. The study takes into account the highest dispersion correction determined by values of the plasma parameters and the angle θ = (B, k), which plays a key role in the FMS beam propagation at those angles to the magnetic field that are close to π/2. The stability of multidimensional solutions is studied by an investigation of the Hamiltonian boundness under its deformations on the basis of solving of the corresponding variational problem. The evolution and dynamics of the 3D FMS wave beam are studied by the numerical integration of equations with the use of specially developed methods. The results can be interpreted in terms of the self-focusing phenomenon, as the formation of a stationary beam and the scattering and self-focusing of the solitary beam of FMS waves. These cases were studied with a detailed investigation of all evolutionary stages of the 3D FMS wave beams in the ionospheric and magnetospheric plasma.

Emission spectroscopy of IR laser-induced processes in ultra-dense deuterium D(0): Rotational transitions in D(0) with spin values s = 2, 3 and 4

The emission spectrum induced in ultra-dense deuterium D(0) by a 1064 nm pulsed YAG laser with 0.4 J pulses is strongly dependent on the amount of D(0) formed. With D2 pressure below 10−2 mbar at the D(0) generator and no D(0) layer on the metal surface, line spectra can be observed with numerous lines due to metal and gas atoms. When a D(0) layer exists on the generator surface, these lines disappear. A different pattern of emission lines and bands is then found. Several peaks are observed which agree well with the rotational transitions of rotating D-D pairs in D(0) from theory. The peak widths are approximately 20 cm−1. A prominent peak at 760 nm corresponds to spin state s = 3 in D(0) from a rotational transition J = 1 → 0. This gives an experimental D-D distance in this state of 5.052 ± 0.003 pm that is only 0.25% larger than predicted by theory and calculations. The existence of these rotational lines strongly supports the cluster model of D(0) described previously. At a few hundred mbar pressure, a red-emitting apparently self-focused beam is formed by the laser beam. The expected Balmer lines are weak or absent.

Self-focusing of coaxial electromagnetic beams in a plasma with electron temperature dependent electron-ion recombination coefficient

An analytical formulation, describing the propagation of multiple coaxial Gaussian electromagnetic (em) beams in a self-formed plasma channel with dominant collisional nonlinearity has been developed; the generation/recombination of high energy plasma particles has been considered as an additional source of plasma non-linearity in addition to Ohmic heating. Well versed paraxial approach in the vicinity of the intensity maximum has been adopted to solve the wave equation and examine the non-linear propagation of em beams while the dielectric function in the presence of the em field is determined from the balance of partial pressure gradient of electron/ion gas with the space charge field and energy balance of plasma particles. On the basis of the analysis the influence of this novel non-linearity on the propagation features like electron temperature, dielectric function and critical curves are derived numerically and graphically presented. The inclusion of this novel nonlinearity results in reduced focusing effect. The three regime characteristic features viz. oscillatory focusing/defocusing and steady divergence of beam propagation have also been worked out.

Sensitiveness of light absorption for self-focusing at laser–plasma interaction with weakly relativistic and ponderomotive regime

AbstractIn the present paper, we have examined the sensitiveness of light absorption for self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in plasma. By introducing dielectric function of plasma under ponderomotive and weakly relativistic regime, we have established the differential equation for beam-width parameter by using parabolic equation approach under Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin and paraxial approximations and solved it numerically. In order to incorporate the sensitiveness of light absorption for self-focusing, behavior of normalized beam-width parameter; plasma density distribution with dimensionless distance of propagation is presented graphically and discussed. Numerical analysis shows that light absorption plays a vital role in self-focusing of laser beam in plasma under weakly relativistic and ponderomotive regime and gives reasonably interesting results.

Airy beam self-focusing in a photorefractive medium.

The unique bending and shape-preserving properties of optical Airy beams offer a large range of applications in for example beam routing, optical waveguiding, particle manipulation and plasmonics. In these applications and others, the Airy beam may experience nonlinear light-matter interactions which in turn modify the Airy beam properties and propagation. A well-known example is light self-focusing that leads to the formation of spatial soliton. Here, we unveil experimentally the self-focusing properties of a 1D-Airy beam in a photorefractive crystal under focusing conditions. The transient evolution involves both self-bending and acceleration of the initially launched Airy beam due to the onset of an off-shooting soliton and the resulting nonlocal refractive index perturbation. Both the transient and stationary self-focusing properties can be tuned by varying the bias electric field, the injected Airy beam power and the background illumination.

Self-focusing of a laser beam in the rippled density magnetoplasma

In the present paper, we have investigated the self-focusing of intense laser beam in rippled density magnetoplasma. The differential equation for the beam width parameter is obtained by following WKB and paraxial approximations and solved it numerically. The behaviour of beam width parameter with dimensionless distance of propagation is extensively investigated for different values of laser and plasma parameters and is strongly influenced by the magnetic field. The results are discussed and presented graphically. It is seen that the density ripple of suitable wave number increases the self-focusing property of laser beam in magnetoplasma. Meanwhile, an increase in the values of magnetic field increases the strength of the self-focusing, especially in shorter distance of propagation. Furthermore, increase in plasma frequency (plasma density) causes more reduction in the spot size of laser beam and consequently increases the rate of self-focusing of laser beam in magnetoplasma.

Effect of self-focused cosh Gaussian laser beam on the excitation of electron plasma wave and particle acceleration

AbstractThis work presents an investigation of the self-focusing of a high-power laser beam having cosh Gaussian intensity profile in a collissionless plasma under weak relativistic-ponderomotove (RP) and only relativistic regimes and its effect on the excitation of electron plasma wave (EPW), and particle acceleration process. Nonlinear differential equations have been set up for the beam width and intensity of cosh Gaussian laser beam (CGLB) and EPW using the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin and paraxial-ray approximations as well as fluid equations. The numerical results are presented for different values of decentered parameter ‘b’ and intensity parameter ‘a’ of CGLB. Strong self-focusing is observed in RP regime as compared with only relativistic nonlinearity. Numerical analysis shows that these parameters play crucial role on the self-focusing of the CGLB and the excitation of EPW. It is also found that the intensity/amplitude of EPW increases withbanda. Further, nonlinear coupling between the CGLB and EPW leads to the acceleration of electrons. The intensity of EPW and energy gain by electrons is significantly affected by including the ponderomotive nonlinearity. The energy of the accelerated electrons is increased by increasing the value of ‘b’. The results are presented for typical laser and plasma parameters.

Self-Focusing/Defocusing of Chirped Gaussian Laser Beam in Collisional Plasma with Linear Absorption**Supported by a financial grant from CSIR, New Delhi, India, under Project No. 03(1277)/13/EMR-II

This paper presents an investigation on the self-focusing/defocusing of chirped Gaussian laser beam in collisional plasma with linear absorption. We have derived the differential equation for the beam width parameter by using WKB and paraxial approximations and solved it numerically. The effect of chirp and other laser plasma parameters is seen on the behavior of beam width parameter with dimensionless distance of propagation. The results are discussed and presented graphically. Our simulation results show that the amplitude of oscillations decreases with the distance of propagation. Due to collisional frequency, the laser beam shows fast divergence which can be minimized by the introduction of chirp parameter. The chirp decreases the effect of defocusing and increases the ability of self-focusing of laser beam in collisional plasma.

Stability of a modified Peaceman–Rachford method for the paraxial Helmholtz equation on adaptive grids

This study concerns the asymptotic stability of an eikonal, or ray, transformation based Peaceman–Rachford splitting method for solving the paraxial Helmholtz equation with high wave numbers. Arbitrary nonuniform grids are considered in transverse and beam propagation directions. The differential equation targeted has been used for modeling propagations of high intensity laser pulses over a long distance without diffractions. Self-focusing of high intensity beams may be balanced with the de-focusing effect of created ionized plasma channel in the situation, and applications of grid adaptations are frequently essential. It is shown rigorously that the fully discretized oscillation-free decomposition method on arbitrary adaptive grids is asymptotically stable with a stability index one. Simulation experiments are carried out to illustrate our concern and conclusions.

Second harmonic generation of Cosh-Gaussian laser beam in collisional plasma with nonlinear absorption

This paper investigates second harmonic generation (SHG) of an intense Cosh-Gaussian (ChG) laser beam propagating through a preformed underdense collisional plasma with nonlinear absorption. Nonuniform heating of plasma electrons takes place due to the nonuniform irradiance of intensity along the wavefront of laser beam. This nonuniform heating of plasma leads to the self-focusing of the laser beam and thus produces strong density gradients in the transverse direction. The density gradients so generated excite an electron plasma wave (EPW) at pump frequency that interacts with the pump beam to produce its second harmonics. To envision the propagation dynamics of the ChG laser beam, moment theory in Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (W.K.B) approximation has been invoked. The effects of nonlinear absorption on self-focusing of the laser beam as well as on the conversion efficiency of its second harmonics have been theoretically investigated.

Influence of the electrode gap separation on the pseudospark-sourced electron beam generation

Pseudospark-sourced electron beam is a self-focused intense electron beam which can propagate without any external focusing magnetic field. This electron beam can drive a beam-wave interaction directly or after being post-accelerated. It is especially suitable for terahertz radiation generation due to the ability of a pseudospark discharge to produce small size in the micron range and very high current density and bright electron beams. In this paper, a single-gap pseudospark discharge chamber has been built and tested with several electrode gap separations to explore the dependence of the pseudospark-sourced electron beam current on the discharge voltage and the electrode gap separation. Experimental results show that the beam pulses have similar pulse width and delay time from the distinct drop of the applied voltage for smaller electrode gap separations but longer delay time for the largest gap separation used in the experiment. It has been found that the electron beam only starts to occur when the charging voltage is above a certain value, which is defined as the starting voltage of the electron beam. The starting voltage is different for different electrode gap separations and decreases with increasing electrode gap separation in our pseudospark discharge configuration. The electron beam current increases with the increasing discharge voltage following two tendencies. Under the same discharge voltage, the configuration with the larger electrode gap separation will generate higher electron beam current. When the discharge voltage is higher than 10 kV, the beam current generated at the electrode gap separation of 17.0 mm, is much higher than that generated at smaller gap separations. The ionization of the neutral gas in the main gap is inferred to contribute more to the current increase with increasing electrode gap separation.

Second Harmonic Generation of Self‐Focused Cosh‐Gaussian Laser Beam in Thermal Quantum Plasma by Excitation of an Electron Plasma Wave

AbstractThis paper presents a scheme for second harmonic generation (SHG) of an intense Cosh‐Gaussian (ChG) laser beam in thermal quantum plasmas. Moment theory approach in W.K.B approximation has been adopted in deriving the differential equation governing the propagation characteristics of the laser beam with distance of propagation. The effect of relativistic increase in electron mass on propagation dynamics of laser beam has been incorporated. Due to relativistic nonlinearity in the dielectric properties of the plasma, the laser beam gets self‐focused and produces density gradients in the transverse direction. The generated density gradients excite electron plasma wave (EPW) at pump frequency that interacts with the incident laser beam to produce its second harmonics. Numerical simulations have been carried out to investigate the effects of laser parameters on selffocusing of the laser beam and hence on the conversion efficiency of its second harmonics. Simulation results predict that within a specific range of decentered parameter the ChG laser beams show smaller divergence as they propagate and, thus, lead to enhanced conversion efficiency of second harmonics. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Combined effect of relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearity on self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in a cold quantum plasma

AbstractIn the present paper, we have investigated self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in relativistic ponderomotive (RP) cold quantum plasma. When de Broglie wavelength of charged particles is greater than or equal to the inter particle distance or equivalently the temperature is less than or equal to the Fermi temperature, quantum nature of the plasma constituents cannot be ignored. In this context, we have reported self-focusing on account of nonlinear dielectric contribution of RP plasma by taking into consideration the impact of quantum effects. We have setup the nonlinear differential equation for the beam-width parameter by paraxial ray and Wentzel Kramers Brillouin approximation and solved it numerically by the Runge Kutta Fourth order method. Our results show that additional self-focusing is achieved in case of RP cold quantum plasma than relativistic cold quantum plasma and classical relativistic case. The pinching effect offered by quantum plasma and the combined effect of relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearity greatly enhances laser propagation up to 20 Rayleigh lengths.

Effect of spatial coherence on laser beam self-focusing from orbit to the ground in the atmosphere.

The effect of spatial coherence on laser beam self-focusing in the atmosphere to assist delivering powerful laser beams from orbit to the ground is studied. It is found that a fully coherent beam is more strongly compressed on the ground than a partially (spatial) coherent beam (PCB), even so, for a PCB the compressed spot size on the ground may be reduced below the diffraction limit due to self-focusing effect, and a PCB has higher threshold critical power than a fully coherent beam. Furthermore, an effective design rule for maximal compression without beam splitting of the transported PCB from orbit to the ground is presented.

Interaction of a self-focused laser beam with a DT fusion target in a plasma-loaded cone-guided ICF scheme

In this paper, the interaction of a self-focused laser beam with a DT fusion target in a plasma-loaded cone-guided ICF scheme has been presented. We propose here to merge a plasma-loaded cone with the precompressed DT target in order to strongly focus the incident laser beam on the core to improve the fusion gain. The WKB approximation is used to derive a differential equation that governs the evolution of beamwidth of the incident laser beam with the distance of propagation in the plasma medium. The effects of initial plasma and laser parameters, such as initial plasma electron temperature, initial radius of the laser beam, initial laser beam intensity and plasma density, on self-focusing and defocusing of the Gaussian laser beam have been studied. Numerical results indicate that with increasing the plasma frequency (or plasma density) in the cone, the laser beam will be self-focused noticeably, while for a thinner laser beam (with small radius), it will diverge as propagate in the cone. By evaluating the energy deposition of the relativistic electron ignitors in the fuel, the importance of electron transportation in the cone-attached shell was demonstrated. Moreover, by lessening the least energy needed for ignition, the electrons coupling with the pellet enhances. Therefore, it increases the fusion efficiency. In this scheme, with employing a plasma-loaded cone, the fusion process improves without needing an ultrahigh-intensity laser beam in a conventional ICF.

Controlling the Self-Focusing of Quadruple Gaussian Beam in Plasma

The aim of this paper was to investigate the self-focusing dependence of the quadruple Gaussian beam on effective parameters. Based on the introduced model of focusing parameter (FP), the nonlinear self-focusing dependence on the beam separation and the initial intensity of beam are found. The results indicate that the focusing dependences on the intensity and separations are coupled and the form of focusing dependence on separations nonlinearly differs by changing the intensity of the beam. The nonlinearity is clarified by finding the nonlinear impact of the initial intensity of beam on self-focusing. Based on the proposed model, the impacts of the plasma frequency, beam separation, and initial intensity on the spot size reduction are also compared. All the results are validated by solving the differential equation of beamwidth in plasma, and good conformity is obtained. The presented model is applicable for controlling the rate of self-focusing of quadruple beam by means of desired selection of lateral beam separation, the beam intensity, and the plasma frequency.