Depolarization of intense laser beams by dynamic plasma density gratings

Y. X. Wang; S. M. Weng; P. Li; Z. C. Shen; X. Y. Jiang; J. Huang; X. L. Zhu; H. H. Ma; X. B. Zhang; X. F. Li; Z. M. Sheng; J. Zhang

doi:10.1017/hpl.2023.19

High Power Laser Science and Engineering (Jan 2023)

Depolarization of intense laser beams by dynamic plasma density gratings

Y. X. Wang,
S. M. Weng,
P. Li,
Z. C. Shen,
X. Y. Jiang,
J. Huang,
X. L. Zhu,
H. H. Ma,
X. B. Zhang,
X. F. Li,
Z. M. Sheng,
J. Zhang

Affiliations

Y. X. Wang: ORCiD; Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
S. M. Weng: ORCiD; Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
P. Li: Research Center of Laser Fusion of China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, China
Z. C. Shen: Research Center of Laser Fusion of China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, China
X. Y. Jiang: Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
J. Huang: Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
X. L. Zhu: ORCiD; Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
H. H. Ma: ORCiD; Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
X. B. Zhang: Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China College of Physics and Electronics Engineering, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
X. F. Li: Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Z. M. Sheng: ORCiD; Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
J. Zhang: Key Laboratory for Laser Plasmas (MoE), School of Physics and Astronomy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Collaborative Innovation Center of IFSA, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China Tsung-Dao Lee Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/hpl.2023.19
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11

Abstract

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As a typical plasma-based optical element that can sustain ultra-high light intensity, plasma density gratings driven by intense laser pulses have been extensively studied for wide applications. Here, we show that the plasma density grating driven by two intersecting driver laser pulses is not only nonuniform in space but also varies over time. Consequently, the probe laser pulse that passes through such a dynamic plasma density grating will be depolarized, that is, its polarization becomes spatially and temporally variable. More importantly, the laser depolarization may spontaneously take place for crossed laser beams if their polarization angles are arranged properly. The laser depolarization by a dynamic plasma density grating may find application in mitigating parametric instabilities in laser-driven inertial confinement fusion.

Published in High Power Laser Science and Engineering

ISSN: 2095-4719 (Print); 2052-3289 (Online)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General): Applied optics. Photonics
Website: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/high-power-laser-science-and-engineering

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