Guiding of intense laser beams in highly ionized plasma columns generated by a fast capillary discharge

Rocca, J. J., author; Larotonda, M. A., author; Chilla, J. L. A., author; Marconi, Mario Carlo, author; Wang, Y., author; Luther, B. M., author; American Physical Society, publisher

Guiding of intense laser beams in highly ionized plasma columns generated by a fast capillary discharge

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ECEmcm00044.pdf (677.16 KB)

Date

2004

Authors

Rocca, J. J., author

Larotonda, M. A., author

Chilla, J. L. A., author

Marconi, Mario Carlo, author

Wang, Y., author

Luther, B. M., author

American Physical Society, publisher

Abstract

We have demonstrated the guiding of laser pulses with peak intensities up to 2.2 × 1017 W/cm2 in a 5.5 cm long plasma column containing highly charged Ar ions generated by a fast capillary discharge. A rapid discharge-driven hydrodynamic compression guides progressively lower order modes through a plasma with increasing density and degree of ionization, until the guide collapses on axis. The lowest order mode (FWHM ~50 μm) is guided with 75% transmission efficiency shortly before the plasma reaches the conditions for lasing in Ne-like Ar. The subsequent rapid plasma expansion forms a significantly leakier and more absorbent guide.

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10217/67857

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