Supercritical density profiles of CO2-laser-irradiated microballoons

Abstract

Electron-density profiles up to 40nc have been measured for plasmas produced on glass microballoon targets irradiated by nanosecond, CO2-laser pulses in the intensity range 2×1012 to 6×1013 W cm-2. Critical-density scale lengths of ∼ 3 μm and plateau structures, including overdense bumps, have been observed. Upper-shelf densities were greater than those attributable to radiation pressure alone, possibly indicating contributions from the superthermal plasma blowoff and self-generated magnetic fields. Show more