Self-similar solution of laser-produced plasma expansion into vacuum with kappa-distributed electrons

Abstract

The expansion of semi-infinite laser produced plasma into vacuum is analyzed with a hydrodynamic model for cold ions assuming electrons modeled by a kappa-type distribution. Self-similar analytic expressions for the potential, velocity, and density of the plasma have been derived. It is shown that nonthermal energetic electrons have the role of accelerating the self-similar expansion.

Keywords

• kappa distribution function
• laser-produced plasmas
• nonthermal electrons
• plasma expansion
• self-similar solution