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arXiv · 1806.06014

Basics of Laser-Plasma Interaction: a Selection of Topics

Andrea Macchi
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Abstract

A short, tutorial introduction to some basic concepts of laser-plasma interactions at ultra-high intensities is given. The selected topics include a) elements of the relativistic dynamics of an electron in electromagnetic fields, including the ponderomotive force and classical radiation friction; b) the "relativistic" nonlinear optical transparency and self-focusing; c) the moving mirror concept and its application to light sail acceleration and high harmonic generation, with a note on related instabilities; d) some specific phenomena related to the absorption of energy, kinetic momentum and angular momentum from the laser light.

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Andrea Macchi. 2018-06-15. Basics of Laser-Plasma Interaction: a Selection of Topics. https://arxiv.org/abs/1806.06014

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