Hydrogen Plasma Production by Giant Pulse Lasers

Abstract

Abstract The problem of interaction of an intense laser beam with solid hydrogen is theoretically investigated in a one-dimensional plane geometry. The time dependent distributions of density, temperature and velocity of the produced plasma as well as those of the solid are found by numerical solution of the hydrodynamic equations for various laser powers. The maximum temperature can be approximately expressed in closed form as a function of the laser intensity and time. The calculations allow for the influence of thermal conduction and viscosity. At laser intensities above 1.8 x 1011 W/cm2 the plasma frequency rises above that of the laser in the transition sheath between the hot plasma and the cold solid. The problem of absorption and reflection of laser radiation in this region is investigated.