Abstract
Measurements of energetic electron beams generated from ultrahigh intensity laser interactions (I>1019 W/cm2) with dense plasmas are discussed. These interactions have been shown to produce very directional beams, although with a broad energy spectrum. In the regime where the beam density approaches the density of the background plasma, we show that these beams are unstable to filamentation and 'hosing' instabilities. Particle-in-cell simulations also indicate the development of such instabilities. This is a regime of particular interest for inertial confinement fusion applications of these beams (i.e., "fast ignition").
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 175001-1 |
Number of pages | 175000 |
Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 90 |
Issue number | 17 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2003 |
Keywords
- electron beams
- lasers
- plasma
- fusion