Thesis

Transient, laser-driven volume plasma density structures

Creator
Rights statement
Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2022
Thesis identifier
  • T16377
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 201891426
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • This thesis presents a study of time-dependent plasma density gratings formed by the forces of intersecting high-intensity, short-pulse lasers in gas and plasma. Such structures have been proposed as optical components for the manipulation of laser pulses with intensities beyond the damage threshold of conventional optical devices based on solid state technology. Two methods of plasma density grating formation are considered, both of which rely on the beat wave of two or more laser fields – (i) by ionisation of a neutral gas, and (ii) by driving an inertially evolving grating using the ponderomotive force in plasma. A novel amplification method based on the interaction of a probe laser pulse with an evolving plasma density modulation, driven by ionisation, is identified and analysed theoretically, numerically and experimentally. Experimental evidence for the formation of a plasma density grating by counterpropagating high-power laser pulses in underdense plasma is presented, along with the first demonstration of the manipulation of the phase of a 100-femtosecond probe laser pulse by a plasma density grating. A peak phase shift of π/4 is measured. A particle-in-cell study of the use of plasma density gratings for controlling laser wakefield accelerators is presented. It is found that the plasma density grating modifies the velocity of the back of the laser wakefield bubble and, through a simulation parameter scan, it is shown that the properties of the electron beam depend strongly on the amplitude and placement of the plasma density grating within the accelerator target.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Jaroszynski, D. A. (Dino A.)
Resource Type
Note
  • Previously held under moratorium from 10th October 2022 until 10th October 2023
DOI

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