Dynamics of nanosecond laser pulse propagation and of associated instabilities in a magnetized underdense plasma

TL;DR

This paper investigates how magnetic fields influence nanosecond laser pulse propagation in underdense plasmas, showing improved transmission, smoothing, and reduced preheating, which are relevant for inertial confinement fusion.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence and simulations on the effects of magnetic fields on laser-plasma interactions, highlighting improved energy coupling and stability in magnetized plasmas.

Findings

Enhanced laser transmission in magnetized plasma

Increased smoothing of laser beam profiles

Reduced target preheating due to hot electron confinement

Abstract

The propagation and energy coupling of intense laser beams in plasmas are critical issues in laser-driven inertial confinement fusion. Applying magnetic fields to such a setup has been evoked to enhance fuel confinement and heating, and mitigate laser energy losses. Here we report on experimental measurements demonstrating improved transmission and increased smoothing of a high-power laser beam propagating in an underdense magnetized plasma. We also measure enhanced backscattering, which our simulations show is due to hot electrons confinement, thus leading to reduced target preheating.