title: High-power, kilojoule class laser channeling in millimeter-scale underdense plasma.
abstract: Experiments were performed using the Omega EP laser, operating at 740 J of energy in 8 ps (90 TW), which provides extreme conditions relevant to fast ignition studies. A carbon and hydrogen plasma plume was used as the underdense target and the interaction of the laser pulse propagating and channeling through the plasma was imaged using proton radiography. The early time expansion, channel evolution, filamentation, and self-correction of the channel was measured on a single shot via this method. A channel wall modulation was observed and attributed to surface waves. After around 50 ps, the channel had evolved to show bubblelike structures, which may be due to postsoliton remnants.
authors.affiliation: Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Willingale
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Nilson
authors.forename: A G R
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cobble
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Craxton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maksimchuk
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Norreys
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Sangster
authors.forename: R H H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stoeckl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zulick
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krushelnick