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Analytical and numerical investigation of pulse-shape effect on the interaction of an ultrashort, intense, few-cycle laser pulse with a thin plasma layer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 January 2011

Harish Malav ,
K. P. Maheshwari  and
Y. Choyal
Harish Malav
Affiliation:
DST-Project, Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Kota, India
K. P. Maheshwari*
Affiliation:
DST-Project, Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Kota, India
Y. Choyal
Affiliation:
School of Physics, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: K. P. Maheshwari, DST-Project, Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University, Rawatbhata road, Kota-324010, India. E-mail: k_p_maheshwari@rediffmail.com
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Abstract

Dependence of quasistatic Wakefield and high harmonic generation on the pulse-shape of an ultrashort, intense, few-cycle laser in the reflected radiation from a thin dense plasma layer is investigated. The pulse envelopes considered are Gaussian, Lorentzian, and hyperbolic secant having identical full width at half maximum of intensity. The reflected radiation from the strongly driven surface plasma layer embodies a quasistatic Wakefield, which exists after the main pulse is passed over. A phase modulation is also experienced by the laser light upon reflection from plasma surface motion. As a result harmonics of center carrier frequency of the laser-pulse are generated in the reflected signal. Intensity of the laser harmonics and magnitude of the Wakefield in the reflected radiation are found to depend on the pulse-shape, number of cycles, carrier envelope phase difference, plasma density, angle of incidence, and intensity of the incident pulse.

Keywords

Carrier envelope phase differenceHigh-harmonic generationShort laser pulse interaction with thin plasma layerWakefield
Type
Research Article
Information
Laser and Particle Beams , Volume 29 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 45 - 54
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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