Relativistic self-focusing in the interaction of laser beam and plasma with periodical density ripple

Abstract

In the paper, relativistic self-focusing in the interaction of laser beam and plasma with periodical density ripple has been studied by the applied WKB approximation and higher-order paraxial theory. The result shows that under the influence of relativistic nonlinear effect, the dielectric function shows the fierce oscillational variation with similar periodicity, which then leads to the intense relativistic beam self-focusing along the propagation distance, such self-focusing also presents similar periodic variation. Besides, in the plasma with periodical density ripple, the initial density and the density ripple amplitude have obvious influence on self-focusing. When the two factors increase, then there will be more strength self-focusing. Choosing the appropriate initial density and the periodic density parameter is benefit to the formation of the more stable self-focusing.