Optically controlled solid-density transient plasma gratings.
A general approach for optically controlled spatial structuring of overdense plasmas generated at the surface of initially plain solid targets is presented. We demonstrate it experimentally by creating sinusoidal plasma gratings of adjustable spatial periodicity and depth, and study the interaction of these transient structures with an ultraintense laser pulse to establish their usability at relativistically high intensities. We then show how these gratings can be used as a "spatial ruler" to determine the source size of the high-order harmonic beams produced at the surface of an overdense plasma. These results open new directions both for the metrology of laser-plasma interactions and the emerging field of ultrahigh intensity plasmonics.
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Lasers, Interactions and Dynamics Laboratory, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
S
S
Monchocé
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Lasers, Interactions and Dynamics Laboratory, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
S
S
Kahaly
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Lasers, Interactions and Dynamics Laboratory, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
A
A
Leblanc
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, DAM, DIF 91297 Arpajon Cedex, France.
L
L
Videau
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, DAM, DIF 91297 Arpajon Cedex, France.
P
P
Combis
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Lasers, Interactions and Dynamics Laboratory, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
F
F
Réau
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Lasers, Interactions and Dynamics Laboratory, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
D
D
Garzella
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Lasers, Interactions and Dynamics Laboratory, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
P
P
D'Oliveira
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Lasers, Interactions and Dynamics Laboratory, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
Ph
P
Martin
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, Lasers, Interactions and Dynamics Laboratory, DSM/IRAMIS, CEN Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette, France.
F
F
Quéré