Two-dimensional effects in laser-created plasmas measured with soft-x-ray laser interferometry.
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.
Filevich
J
J
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Rocca
J J
JJ
Jankowska
E
E
Hammarsten
E C
EC
Kanizay
K
K
Marconi
M C
MC
Moon
S J
SJ
Shlyaptsev
V N
VN