Laser Propagation Experiments in a Raman-Amplifier–Relevant Plasma

POSTER

Abstract

Plasma-based Raman amplification could be the enabling technology for a new generation of ultrahigh-power laser systems. However, experimentally reported gains continue to be significantly lower than those theoretically predicted. We investigated propagation of an unseeded pump pulse through a gas jet at Raman-amplifier–relevant conditions on the Multi-Terawatt Laser at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. Backscattered energies, backscattered spectra, transmitted pump energies, and transmitted beam profiles were measured over a range of plasma densities and pump-pulse parameters. Filamentation, ionization-induced refraction, and unseeded stimulated Raman scattering appear to scatter a significant amount of the pump energy and inhibit the formation of a uniform plasma channel, which may result in lower gain. Preliminary results will be presented.

Presenters

  • Philip Franke

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

Authors

  • Philip Franke

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Jessie L. Shaw

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, NY, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester

  • Avram Milder

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Daniel J Haberberger

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Univ of Rochester LLE, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Univ of Rochester

  • Dustin H Froula

    University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Univ of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, University of Rochester