The nonlinear propagation of two high-intensity laser pluses of circular polarization in thin foil targets is investigated theoretically and by simulation. The two laser pulses illuminate a foil normally from both sides and create a spatially confined relativistic election plasma. The solutions depend on the phase relation of the two laser pulses. High order harmonics are found when frequencies and/or polarizations of the two pulses differ. The harmonics compound to a train of sub-femto-second pulse in the time domain. Under certain conditions, an instability occurs and can destroy the foil. Energetic electrons are produced due to the instability.

Date Published: 23 April 2001
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 4424, ECLIM 2000: 26th European Conference on Laser Interaction with Matter, (23 April 2001); doi: 10.1117/12.425625

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 4424:
ECLIM 2000: 26th European Conference on Laser Interaction with Matter
Milan Kalal; Karel Rohlena; Milan Sinor, Editor(s)