Enhanced thermal self-focusing of a Gaussian laser beam in a collisionless plasma

Abstract

Theory given by Wang-Zhou [Phys. Plasmas 18, 043101 (2011)] for the thermal self-focusing of a Gaussian laser beam in a collisionless plasma is revisited by including the effect of a localized upward plasma-density ramp. As the equilibrium electron density is an increasing function of the distance of propagation of the laser beam, the diffraction length decreases rapidly as the beam penetrates deeper into the plasma and the diffraction effect becomes reduced; thus, the laser becomes more focused. A significant enhancement in laser thermal self-focusing in a collisionless plasma is consequently observed if a localized plasma density ramp is introduced. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3662098]