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Dynamics and control of the expansion of finite-size plasmas produced in ultraintense laser-matter interactions

F. Peano·J. L. Martins·R. A. Fonseca·L. O. Silva·G. Coppa·F. Peinetti·R. Mulas
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Abstract

The strong influence of the electron dynamics provides the possibility of controlling the expansion of laser-produced plasmas by appropriately shaping the laser pulse. A simple irradiation scheme is proposed to tailor the explosion of large deuterium clusters, inducing the formation of shock structures, capable of driving nuclear fusion reactions. Such a scenario has been thoroughly investigated, resorting to two- and three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Furthermore, the intricate dynamics of ions and electrons during the collisionless expansion of spherical nanoplasmas has been analyzed in detail using a self-consistent ergodic-kinetic model. This study clarifies the transition from hydrodynamic-like to Coulomb-explosion regimes.

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F. Peano, J. L. Martins, R. A. Fonseca, L. O. Silva, G. Coppa, F. Peinetti, R. Mulas. 2007-01-10. Dynamics and control of the expansion of finite-size plasmas produced in ultraintense laser-matter interactions. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2436855

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