The Interaction of High Power Lasers with Plasmas

S. Ellezer0750307471, 9780750307475

The Interaction of High-Power Lasers with Plasmas provides a thorough self-contained discussion of the physical processes occurring in laser-plasma interactions, including a detailed review of the relevant plasma and laser physics. The book analyzes laser absorption and propagation, electron transport, and the relevant plasma waves in detail. It also discusses the physics of the electric and magnetic fields in a laser-induced plasma medium, laser-induced shock waves, rarefaction waves, heat waves, and the related hydrodynamic instabilities (Rayleigh-Taylor, Richtmyer-Meshkov, and Kelvin-Helmholtz). A pedagogical presentation, the book addresses the basic physics issues from first principles, using simple models wherever appropriate. The coverage provides a foundation on which the graduate student can build an understanding of the past and present research in this field. For the experienced researcher, the book is a comprehensive and useful presentation of laser-plasma interactions.

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Table of contents :
Preface……Page 6
Contents……Page 8
1. High Power Lasers, from Nanoseconds to Femtoseconds……Page 12
2. Introduction to Plasma Physics for Electrons and Ions……Page 25
3. The Three Approaches to Plasma Physics……Page 58
4. The Ponderomotive Force……Page 76
5. Laser Absorption and Propagation in Plasma……Page 85
6. Waves in Laser-Produced Plasma……Page 116
7. Laser-Induced Electric Fields in Plasma……Page 145
8. Laser-Induced Magnetic Fields in Plasma……Page 155
9. Thermal Conduction and Heat Waves……Page 186
10. Shock Waves and Rarefaction Waves……Page 224
11. Hydrodynamic Instabilities……Page 265
Appendix A……Page 295
Appendix B……Page 301
Appendix C……Page 302
Appendix D……Page 308
Bibliography……Page 311
Index……Page 320