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Nonlinear evolution of the filamentation instability and chaos in laser–plasma interaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2016

S. Sharma
Affiliation:
Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi-110016, India
N. Kumar*
Affiliation:
Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi-110016, India Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110021, India
S. Hussain
Affiliation:
Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi-110016, India
R.P. Sharma
Affiliation:
Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi-110016, India
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: N. Kumar, Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi-110016, India and Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi-110021, India. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Filamentation is one of the most common nonlinear phenomena taking place in the laser–plasma interaction that splits the laser beam into high-intensity spikes. The present study deals with the nonlinear evolution of filamentation instability in laser–plasma interaction and the development of chaos in contrast to linear growth as reported by Kaw et al. in 1973. We have considered a non-uniform perturbation superimposed on plane-wave pump such that due to non-uniformity of the perturbation a finite intensity gradient arises and gives rise to ponderomotive force. This causes filamentation of wave, which has been studied presently using numerical methods as well as analytical tools. The results reveal that the intensity of perturbation gets localized and delocalized with the distance of propagation. The numerical simulation results also reveal that the intensity of perturbation route from ordered to chaotic behavior depending upon the pump laser and perturbation parameters. To study the chaotic behavior, Lyapunov exponents has also been calculated. The semi-analytical method is also developed to have an insight into some of the features of simulation like the formation of localized structures.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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