title: Two-dimensional effects in laser-created plasmas measured with soft-x-ray laser interferometry.
abstract: Soft-x-ray laser interferograms of laser-created plasmas generated at moderate irradiation intensities (1 x 10(11)-7 x 10(12) W cm(-2)) with lambda=1.06 microm light pulses of approximately 13-ns-FWHM (full width at half maximum) duration and narrow focus (approximately 30 microm) reveal the unexpected formation of an inverted density profile with a density minimum on axis and distinct plasma sidelobes. Model simulations show that this strong two-dimensional hydrodynamic behavior is essentially a universal phenomena that is the result of plasma radiation induced mass ablation and cooling in the areas surrounding the focal spot.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Filevich
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Rocca
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jankowska
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Hammarsten
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanizay
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Shlyaptsev