Experimental evidence of predominantly transverse electron plasma waves driven by stimulated Raman scattering of picosecond laser pulses.
We report on highly time- and space-resolved measurements of the evolution of electron plasma waves driven by stimulated Raman scattering of a picosecond, single laser speckle propagating through a preformed underdense plasma. Two-dimensional Thomson scatter spectra indicate that the dominant waves have significant transverse components. These results are supported by particle-in-cell simulations which pinpoint the dominant role of the wave front bowing and of secondary nonlinear electrostatic instabilities in the evolution of the plasma waves.
Rousseaux
C
C
CEA, DAM, DIF, 91297 Arpajon Cedex, France.
Baton
S D
SD
Bénisti
D
D
Gremillet
L
L
Adam
J C
JC
Héron
A
A
Strozzi
D J
DJ
Amiranoff
F
F