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Bennett, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Bennett, T..

A multi-terawatt two-color beam for high-power field-controlled nonlinear optics

Two-color laser beams are instrumental in light-field control and enhancement of high-order harmonic, spectral supercontinuum, and terahertz radiation generated in gases, plasmas, and solids. Here we demonstrate a multi-terawatt two-color beam produced using a relativistic plasma mirror, with 110 mJ at 800 nm and 30 mJ at 400 nm. Both color components have high spatial quality and can be simultaneously focused, provided that the plasma mirror lies within a Rayleigh range of the driving fundamental beam. Favorable scaling of second-harmonic generation by plasma mirrors at relativistic intensities suggests them as an excellent tool for multi-color waveform synthesis beyond the petawatt level.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Cascaded Plasma Mirrors for Enhanced Relativistic Harmonic Generation

Relativistic harmonic generation is a waveform-dependent process that can be enhanced by multi-color driving pulses. We experimentally demonstrate higher-efficiency harmonics from a plasma mirror cascade, where an initial plasma mirror produces the multi-color beam.

Edwards, M. R.↗

Effects of low frequency waves and spiky electric fields in the magnetotail

Intense low frequency waves and large amplitude spiky electric fields are commonly observed in the active magnetotail. These fields are of dynamic significance for substorms because the amplitude of the waves is large enough to provide the dissipation necessary for reconnection. The waves modify the trajectories of ions in the magnetotail, resulting in enhanced energization and pitch angle scattering in comparison with the trajectories obtained without waves. The spikes may represent the nonlinear evolution of the waves. Observations are presented of low frequency waves and spiky electric fields measured in the plasma sheet. The relationship between the waves and the spikes is compared to wave evolution theories. The Lundquist number is evaluated for the magnetotail based on the wave observations and previously published studies of the current sheet scale sizes. The effects of the waves on the ion trajectories are discussed using the results from a particle tracing code.

Cattell, C.↗