Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of energetic electron generation and transport with relativistic laser pulses in overdense plasmas

被引：94

作者：

Sentoku, Y. ^{[1
]}

Mima, K. ^{[1
]}

Sheng, Z.M. ^{[1
]}

Kaw, P. ^{[2
]}

Nishihara, K. ^{[1
]}

Nishikawa, K. ^{[3
]}

机构：

[1] Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan

[2] Institute for Plasma Research, Bhat, Gandhinagar, India

[3] Faculty of Engineering, Kinki University, Higashihirosima, Hiroshima, Japan

来源：

Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics | 2002年 / 65卷 / 04期

关键词：

Computer simulation - Diffusion - Electric field effects - Magnetic field effects - Magnetoelectric effects - Plasmas;

D O I：

10.1103/PhysRevE.65.046408

中图分类号：

学科分类号：

摘要：

The interaction of relativistic laser light with overdense plasmas is studied by three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Generation of layered current sheets and quasistatic magnetic fields is observed near the target surface owing to anisotropic laser filamentation and Weibel instabilities. Later these current sheets tear into filaments that partially merge with each other to form isolated magnetic channels penetrating into the dense plasmas. It is found that fast electron energy flow is not only inside the magnetic channels but also it is widely distributed outside the channels. This is possible because of electron anomalous diffusion across self-generated magnetic fields. Consequently, the total hot electron current exceeds a few hundred kiloamperes and is much larger than the Alfvén current. Hence a considerable amount of energy flows towards the plasma core. Significant heating of the bulk plasma electrons is also observed. © 2002 The American Physical Society.

引用

页码：1 / 046408