Instability Versus Equilibrium Propagation of a Laser Beam in Plasma

Pavel M. Lushnikov and Harvey A. Rose
Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 255003 – Published 23 June 2004

Abstract

We obtain, for the first time, an analytic theory of the forward stimulated Brillouin scattering instability of a spatially and temporally incoherent laser beam that controls the transition between statistical equilibrium and nonequilibrium (unstable) self-focusing regimes of beam propagation. The stability boundary may be used as a comprehensive guide for inertial confinement fusion designs. Well into the stable regime, an analytic expression for the angular diffusion coefficient is obtained, which provides an essential correction to a geometric optic approximation for beam propagation.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 19 November 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.255003

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Pavel M. Lushnikov1,2 and Harvey A. Rose1,*

  • 1Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS-B213, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
  • 2Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kosygin Street 2, Moscow 119334, Russia

  • *Electronic address: har@lanl.gov

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 92, Iss. 25 — 25 June 2004

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×