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Collisional coupling in counterstreaming laser-produced plasmas

The collisional processes which transfer momentum between counterstreaming plasmas are reviewed and applied to the example of a laser-produced plasma expanding into a partially ionized background. Experimental measurements of the dependence of the ion flow field on collisional momentum transfer demonstrate the validity of the simplified treatment of collision processes which have been adopted. A numerical model which simulates the laser-plasma interaction with the background confirms the importance of collisions in previous experimental studies of momentum coupling, and provides some insight into the distinction between collisional and collisionless flow regimes.

Koopman, D. W.

Multiple Raman up-conversion of radiation from pre-existing Langmuir turbulence

Little is known regarding the mechanisms involved in the production of radiation at frequencies which are much higher than the maximum plasma frequency in nonmagnetic plasmas. It is pointed out that radiation at high multiples of the plasma frequency has been observed in laser-pellet experiments, in relativistic beam-plasma interactions, and in low-energy beam-plasma interactions. Radiation at twice the plasma frequency can be produced by coalescence of two Langmuir waves. Another approach is based on radiation near the plasma frequency or its second harmonic, produced by instability or by external sources. Raman scatter from preexisting Langmuir turbulence is permitted repeatedly. At each step such scattering will produce frequency upshifts (anti-Stokes process) and downshifts (Stokes process). The present paper is concerned with this process. Attention is given to equilibrium spectra, analytic approximations, laser-plasma interaction and coherent radiation from relativistic electron beams.

Russell, D.