Aerogel foil plasma: Forward scattering, back scattering, and transmission of laser radiation

Experimental results obtained with “Kanal-2” facility under the study of powerful laser pulse interaction with the low density microstructure media are presented and discussed in this paper. Forward scattering, back scattering, and transmission of laser radiation by aerogel foil plasma have been investigated. The temporal, spectral, and energy characteristics of both the radiation scattering in the direction of heating radiation beam and the back scattering radiation were studied; the directional diagrams of forward and back scattering radiation were obtained for ω0 and 2ω0 frequencies. Analysis of intensity redistribution on the heating beam cross-section after passing through a polymer microstructure target was carried out.

Propagating Thermonuclear Burn by Laser Ignition of a Dense Z-Pinch

A linear pinch discharge above the Pease-Braginskii current and stabilized by axial shear flow can radiatively collapse to high densities. A thermonuclear detonation wave can then be launched from one end of the discharge channel by ignition with a powerful laser pulse. Axial shear flow stabilization may be realized by injecting a fast moving jet along the pinch discharge channel, possibly in combination with a frozen DT fiber positioned on the pinch axis.

Interaction of a non-symmetric powerful laser pulse with a plasma

The interaction of a powerful non-symmetric laser pulse with a plasma is studied. The non-symmetry is manifested in an abrupt cut-off of the rear edge of the laser pulse compared with its leading edge. At the same time, three qualitatively different regions are distinguished: the leading edge, the rear edge and the region behind the pulse, where it leaves a wake in the form of generated fields. An analytical solution has been found that defines the longitudinal accelerating field at the end of the rear edge. The results of numerical calculations confirm our physical point of view that the non-symmetry of the laser pulse increases the duration of the ion channel behind the front, thereby enhancing the focusing and effective acceleration of electron bunches.