Table Of ContentAtoms, Solids, and Plasmas
in Super-Intense Laser Fields
Atoms, Solids, and Plasmas
in Super-Intense Laser Fields
Edited by
Dimitri Batani
University of Milano-Bicocca
Milan, Italy
Charles J. Joachain
Free University of Brussels
Brussels, Belgium
Sergio Martellucci
University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
Rome, Italy
and
Arthur N. Chester
Hughes Research Laboratories, Inc.
Malibu, California, USA
Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Atoms, solids, and plasmas in super-intense laser fields/edited by Dimitri Batani ... [et al.].
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4613-5511-3 ISBN 978-1-4615-1351-3 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-4615-1351-3
1. Laser beams—Congresses. 2. Laser-plasma interactions—Congresses. 3.
Photoionization—Congresses. 4. Multiphoton processes—Congresses. I. Batani, Dimitri.
II. Course of the International School of Quantum Electronics on Atoms, Solids, and
Plasmas in Super-intense Laser Fields (2000: Erice, Italy)
QC689.5.L37 A76 2001
539.7'22—dc21
2001033810
The school on "Atoms, Solids, and Plasmas in Super-Intense Laser Fields" was organised in the framework
of activity of FEMTO, a programme in the Physical and Engineering Science of the European Science
Foundation. More information on this program can be obtained on the web site www.est.org/femto or by
writing to the E.S.F. Contact Person Ms. Catherine Werner [email protected], 1 quai Lezay-Marn&ia -
F-67080 Strasbourg Cedex, tel. 33(0)388767128, fax. 33(0)388370532.
Proceedings of the 30th Course of the International School of Quantum Electronics on Atoms, Solids and
Plasmas in Super-Intense Laser Fields, held July 8-14 July, 2000, in Erice, Sicily, Italy
ISBN 978-1-4613-5511-3
© 2001 Springer Science+Business Media New York
Originally published by Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, New York in 2001
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2001
http://www.wkap.nl/
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 21
A CLP. record for this book is available from the Library of Congress
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without written
permission from the Publisher
PREFACE
The recent developement of high power lasers, delivering femtosecond pulses of
intensities up to 1020 W/cm2, has led to the discovery of new phenomena in laser interactions
with matter. At these enormous laser intensities, atoms, and molecules are exposed to extreme
conditions and new phenomena occur, such as the very rapid multi photon ionization of atomic
systems, the emission by these systems of very high order harmonics of the exciting laser light,
the Coulomb explosion of molecules, and the acceleration of electrons close to the velocity of
light. These phenomena generate new behaviour of bulk matter in intense laser fields, with great
potential for wide ranging applications which include the study of ultra-fast processes, the
development of high-frequency lasers, and the investigation of the properties of plasmas and
condensed matter under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. In particular, the
concept of the "fast ignitor" approach to inertial confinement fusion (ICF) has been proposed,
which is based on the separation of the compression and the ignition phases in laser-driven ICF.
The aim of this course on "Atom, Solids and Plasmas in Super-Intense Laser fields" was to
bring together senior researchers and students in atomic and molecular physics, laser physics,
condensed matter and plasma physics, in order to review recent developments in high-intensity
laser-matter interactions. The course was held at the Ettore Majorana International Centre for
Scientific Culture in Erice from July 8 to July 14,2000.
The lectures published in this book cover all the main aspects of laser interactions with atoms,
solids, and plasmas at high intensities. We hope that they will provide scientists from various
disciplines with a comprehensive survey of the subject, and a self-contained source from which
to pursue a systematic study ofthe field.
This book is divided into three sections: The lectures, the special seminars on advanced topics
given during the school, and a selection of works related to posters presented by participants
during the school. The first two sections are divided into two parts of atomic physics and
plasma physics, with a special introductory chapter on laser development written by Prof. G.
Mourou.
We would like to express our gratitude to the European Science Foundation (E.S.F.), the
Italian Ministry of Education, the Italian Ministry of University and Scientific Research, the
Sicilian Parliament, the Italian Research Group on Quantum Electronics and Plasma Physics of
the National Research Council (G.N.E.Q.P.), the University of Roma "Tor Vergata", the
University of Milano-Bicocca and the Istituto Nazionale Fisica della Materia (LN.F.M.) for their
support. It is also a pleasure to thank all the lecturers who accepted our invitation to teach on this
course. We would particularly like to thank the other members ofthe Advisory Committee of the
course: Professors P. Knight, A. Maquet, W. Sandner, and H. Walther. We also wish to thank
Professor A. Zichichi for his hospitality at the Ettore Majorana International Centre for Scientific
Culture.
D.Batani A.N.Chester
C.J.Joachain S .Martellucci
Directors of the Course Directors of the School
January 2001
v
CONTENTS
PART 1. LECTURES
1. UL TRAINTENSE LASERS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
G. Mourou
Introduction 2
Intense and Ultraintense Laser Applications 4
ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
2. THEORY OF MULTIPHOTON IONIZATION OF ATOMS 15
N. J. Kylstra, C. J. Joachain, and M. Dorr
Introduction 15
Theory: General Considerations 19
Theory: Basic Equations 20
Perturbation Theory 22
A Free Electron in a Laser Field 23
Floquet Theory 24
The Sturrnian-Floquet Method 24
R-Matrix-Floquet Theory 25
Numerical Solution of the Time-Dependent Schrodinger Equation 27
Low Frequency Methods 29
The High Frequency, High Intensity Regime 30
Relativistic Effects 31
Outlook 33
3. EXPERIMENTS OF MUL TIPHOTON DISSOCIATION AND IONIZATION
OF MOLECULES 37
H. Rottke
Introduction 37
Ionization 38
Dissociation 42
Correlation in Molecular Fragmentation 49
Concluding Remarks 55
4. TWO-COLOR AND SINGLE-COLOR ABOVE THRESHOLD IONIZATION 59
P. Agostini
Part One: Two-Color Above Threshold Ionization and Applications 59
Introduction 59
Theoretical Appraoches to Two-Color Above-Threshold Ionization 60
Experiments in Two-Color AT I 63
Conclusion 71
Part Two: Single-Color Above Threshold Ionization and Double Ionization 71
Introduction 71
High-Order Single Color AT I 72
vii
Non-Sequential Double Ionization: Brief History and Recent Developments 79
Conclusion 80
5. HIGH-ORDER HARMONIC GENERATION 83
P. Salieres
Introduction 83
Physical Process of the Harmonic Emission 85
Properties of the Harmonic Source 89
Applications 93
Conclusion 95
6. CLUSTERS IN INTENSE LASER FIELDS 99
J. W. G. Tisch
Introduction 99
Cluster Formation in Gas-Jets 100
Experimental Details 101
The Nanoplasma Model 104
Review of Experimental Data 110
Applications 116
PLASMAS
7. INTRODUCTION TO LASER-PLASMA INTERACTION AND ITS
APPLICATIONS 119
S. Atzeni
Introduction 119
Laser-Plasma Interaction 121
Applications of Plasmas Created by ns Laser Pulses 128
Relativistic Laser-Plasmas 130
Laser-Driven Inertial Fusion 132
Outlook 141
8. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF PETAWATT LASER PRODUCED PLASMAS 145
M.Key
Introduction 145
PW Class Lasers 146
Pre-Formed Plasma and Relativistic Self Focusing 148
Relativistic Electrons, Bremsstrahlung and Positrons 149
Photo-Nuclear Processes 149
Generation of High-Energy Proton Beams and Proton Induced Nuclear Phenomena 152
Fast Ignition 158
Transport of Energy and Heating by Relativistic Electrons 160
Conclusions 163
9. RELATIVISTIC LASER PLASMA INTERACTIONS 167
J. Meyer-ter-Vehn, A. Pukhov, and lh. M. Sheng
Introduction 167
Relativistic Electron Motion in a Strong Laser Field 168
The Cold Plasma Equations 172
Relativistic Self-Focusing 173
Direct Laser Acceleration of Electrons in Plasma Channels 177
Plasma Waves and Wakefields 187
10. DENSE ULTRAFAST PLASMAS 193
J. C. Gauthier
Introduction 193
Dense Plasmas 194
Basics of Short Pulse Laser Interaction with Solids 203
Energy Transport by Photons, and Particles 213
Atomic Physics and Spectroscopy of Dense Plasmas 217
viii
X-Ray Source Applications of Dense Ultrafast Plasmas 222
11. MAGNETIC FIELDS AND SOLITONS IN RELATIVISTIC PLASMAS 233
F. Pegoraro, S. Bulanov, F. Califano, T. Esirkepov, M. Lontano, N. Naumova, and V. Vshivkov
Introduction 233
Plasma Dynamics Constraints on the Magnetic Field Generation 234
Pressure Anisotropy, Repulsion of Opposite Currents and Magnetic Field Generation 236
Magnetic Interaction 239
Magnetic Vortices 240
SubcycIe Relativistic Solitons 241
Higher Dimension Relativistic Solitons 242
Subcycle Soliton Generation and Interaction 243
Soliton Extraction and Bursts of Soliton Energy 244
Conclusions 245
PART 2. SEMINARS
ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
12. R-MATRIX-FLOQUET THEORY OF TWO-ELECTRON ATOMS IN INTENSE
LASER FIELDS 249
M.Dorr
Introduction 249
Two-Electron Atoms 250
R-Matrix-F1oquet Theory 251
Results 255
Outlook and Future Developments 257
13. INTENSE-FIELD MANY-BODY S-MATRIX THEORY: APPLICATION TO
RECOIL-MOMENTUM DISTRIBUTIONS FOR LASER-INDUCED DOUBLE
IONIZATION 261
F. H. M. Faisal
Introduction 261
Intense-Field Many-Body S-Matrix Theory (IMST) 262
Recoil-Momentum Distribution in Double Ionization of He 265
14. ELECTRONS AND IONS IN RELATIVISTIC LASER FIELDS 273
Y.!. Salamin, M. W. Walser, S. X. Hu, and C. H. Keitel
Introduction 273
Spin-Laser Interaction Effects 276
Electron Acceleration by Crossed Laser Beams 280
15. THE CLASSICAL AND THE QUANTUM FACE OF ABOVE-THRESHOLD
IONIZATION 285
G. G. Paulus and H. Walther
Introduction 285
The Classical Model of ATI 287
Quantum Interference Effects in AT I 293
Conclusion 300
16. RELATIVISTIC EFFECTS IN NON-LINEAR ATOM-LASER
INTERACTIONS AT ULTRAHIGH INTENSITIES 303
V.Veniard
Introduction 303
Two-Photon Bound Transitions in Hydrogenic Atoms 304
Laser-Assisted Mott Scattering 305
Relativistic Effects in Photoionization Spectra 307
Pair Creation in Ultra-Intense Laser Fields 310
Conclusions 312
ix
PLASMAS
17. PLASMAS AT SOLID ST ATE DENSITY GENERATED BY ULTRA-SHORT
LASER PULSES 315
K. Eidmann
Introduction 315
Isochoric Heating 316
AI·K-Shell Spectra 320
Conclusions 324
18. SHOCK WAVE EXPERIMENTS AND EQUATION OF STATE OF DENSE
MATTER 327
M. Koenig
Introduction 327
Hugoniot Relation, Diagnostics 328
EOS with Lasers: Some Key Issues 330
Relative EOS Measurements 331
Applications to Planetary Physics 333
Conclusions 336
19. LASER PARTICLE ACCELERATION IN PLASMAS 339
J. R. Marques
Introduction 339
Plasma Wave Properties 340
The Major Schemes of Laser Plasma Accelerators 343
Experiments on Laser Plasma Acceleration 345
Perspectives 349
Part 3. POSTERS
20. ELLIPTIC DICHROISM IN ANGULAR DISTRIBUTIONS IN FREE-FREE
TRANSITIONS IN HYDROGEN 351
A. Cionga, F. Ehlotzky, and G. Zioh
Introduction 351
Basic Equations 352
Weak Field Limit 354
Results and Discussion 355
21. SHOCK ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES RESULTING FROM HIGHER
HARMONICS GENERATION IN TRANSPARENT SOLIDS 357
V. E. Gruzdev and A. S. Gruzdeva
Introduction 357
Formation of Electromagnetic Shocks 358
Interaction of Shew with Transparent Solids 360
Conclusions 362
22. STUDY OF FAST ELECTRON PROPAGATION IN ULTRA-INTENSE
LASER PULSE INTERACTION WITH SOLID TARGETS USING REAR
SIDE OPTICAL SELF-RADIATION AND REFLECTIVITY - BASED
DIAGNOSTICS 363
J. J. Santos, E. Martinolli, F. Amiranoff, D. Batani, S. D. Baton, A. Bemardinello,
L. Gremillet, T. Hall, M. Koenig, F. Pisani, M. Rabec Le G1oahec, and C. Rousseaux
Introduction 363
Target Rear Side Optical Self-Radiation 364
Target Rear Side Reflectivity-Based Diagnostics 368
23. DEMONSTRATION OF HYBRIDLY PUMPED SOFT X-RAY LASER 375
F. Bortolotto
Introduction 375
x
Experimental Set-Up 376
Results 377
Conclusions and Outlooks 379
24. X-RAY EMISSION FROM LASER IRRADIATED STRUCTURED
GOLD TARGETS 381
T. Desai, H. Daido, M. Suzuk, N. Sakaya, A. R. Guemeiro, and K. Mirna
Introduction 381
Experiments 381
Results 382
Discussion 383
Conclusion 387
25. MEASUREMENT OF SPECTRAL AND ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION OF
HARD X-RAYS FROM LASER PRODUCED PLASMAS AND THEIR
APPLICA TION 389
S. Diisterer, H. Schwoerer, R. Behrens, C. Ziener, C. Reich, P. Gibbon, and R. Sauerbrey
Introduction 389
Experimental Set-Up and X-Ray Measurements 389
Discussion of the Results and the Theoretical Considerations 391
Application of the Mev X-Rays: Photoneutrons 392
Conclusion 393
26. EQUATION OF STATE OF WATER IN THE MEGABAR RANGE 395
E. Henry, D. Batani, M. Koenig, A. Benuzzi, I. Masclet, B. Marchet, M. Rebec, Ch. Reverdin,
P. Celliers, L. Da Silva, R. Cauble, G. Collins, T. Hall, and C. Cavazzoni
Introduction 395
Experimental Set-Up 396
Experimental Results 397
Conclusions 399
27. XUV INTERFEROMETRY USING HIGH ORDER HARMONICS:
APPLICATION TO PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS 401
I.-F. Hergott
INDEX 407
xi
UL TRAINTENSE LASERS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
Gerard A. Mourou
University of Michigan
Center for Ultrafast Optical Science
2200 Bonisteel Blvd., Rm. 6117/IST Bldg.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2099, USA
Abstract. Today laser optics stands on the threshold of a new frontier of unprecedented
optical field strengths with single-cycle pulse durations. Traditional optics concerns
physical phenomena in the eV regime. The new frontier will address GeV energy scales.
[n the last decade, lasers have undergone orders-of-magnitude jumps in peak power, with
the invention of the technique of chirped pulse amplification (CPA) and refinement of
femtosecond techniques. Modern CPA lasers can produce intensities greater than 1021
W/cm2, one million times greater than previously possible. Above 1OlRW/cm2, an
electron oscillating in the optical frequency laser field has a peak velocity approaching
the speed of light, c. and the laser field exceeds many TV 1m, fields greater than any other
technology can muster. Under these conditions, relativistic nonlinearities emerge. The
relativistic intensity regime is rich in novel physical effects, including acceleration of
electrons and ions to multi-MeV energies, vacuum heating at surfaces, relativistic
harmonic generation from free electrons, relativistic self-focusing and transparency.
These ultra-intense lasers give researchers a tool to produce unprecedented pressures
-Tbars, magnetic fields-Gigagauss-, temperatures - 1010 K- and accelerations- 1025g-with
applications to fusion energy, nuclear physics, high energy physics, astrophysics and
cosmology
AlOms, Solids, and Plasmas in Super-Inlense lAser Fields
Edited by D. Balani et al., Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2001
