Abstract
The dynamics of transient electric fields generated by the interaction of high intensity laser pulses with underdense plasmas has been studied experimentally with the proton projection imaging technique. The formation of a charged channel, the propagation of its front edge and the late electric field evolution have been characterized with high temporal and spatial resolution. Particle-in-cell simulations and an electrostatic, ponderomotive model reproduce the experimental features and trace them back to the ponderomotive expulsion of electrons and the subsequent ion acceleration.
| Original language | English |
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| Article number | 402 |
| Journal | New Journal of Physics |
| Volume | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 7 Nov 2007 |
| Externally published | Yes |