Weakly relativistic and ponderomotive effects on the density steepening in the interaction of an intense laser pulse with an underdense plasma

Abstract

The effect of the weakly relativistic ponderomotive force in the interaction of an intense laser pulse with an underdense plasma is studied. This force modifies the electron density distribution. Furthermore, the existence of intense laser pulses in plasma causes the electron relativistic mass to appear and, consequently, the plasma frequency decreases. It is clear that the electron temperature also affects the dielectric permittivity of plasma. By considering the weakly relativistic and ponderomotive effects, the nonlinear dielectric permittivity of plasma is obtained. Taking into account the Maxwell equations and the nonlinear dielectric permittivity, the electric and magnetic field profiles in plasma are investigated. It is shown that the electromagnetic field profiles deviate from sinusoidal structure. Also, the steepening of the electron density profile decreases by increasing the electron temperature and decreasing the laser pulse intensity. The wavelength of oscillations decreases by increasing the energy flux. Finally, it is found that the electric and magnetic field profiles are lengthened by increasing the electron temperature. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.