Two color laser self focusing and terahertz generation in multi-ion species plasma

Nafis Ahmad, Saleh T. Mahmoud, Gunjan Purohit, Firoz Khan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An analytical formalism of self focusing of two co-propagating laser beams, fundamental ω1 and close to second harmonic ω2≈2ω1, in a multi-ion species plasma and resonant terahertz radiation generation has been developed. The nonlinearity arises due to ponderomotive force on electrons by both the beams and subsequent ambipolar redistribution of the plasma. The ions of higher charged state are strongly depleted from the axial region due to space charge field effects and electron charge is largely compensated by the ions of lower charge. When the power of the strong beam equals the critical power for its self-guiding, the plasma provides an oscillatory waveguide for the weak beam; the weak beam shrinks and rebounds when its frequency is lower than that of the strong beam, and it swallows and rebounds when the frequency is higher. When both beams are strong the nonlinearities have cumulative effect on both the beams. The cross coupling of the beams gives rise to nonlinear current giving rise to terahertz radiation at ω=ω2−2ω1 frequency. An axial density ripple aids phase matching and gives rise to higher power conversion efficiency. Self focusing leads to enhancement in conversion efficiency.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1533-1542
Number of pages10
JournalOptik
Volume158
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2018

Keywords

  • Cross focusing
  • Laser plasma interaction
  • Terahertz generation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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