The stability of very intense laser pulses (I≲1018 W/cm2) as they propagate through and are guided by a hollow channel in an underdense plasma is investigated. It is shown analytically and in two-dimensional (2-D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations that instabilities [Raman forward scatter (RFS)] would completely destroy the beam in homogeneous plasmas or parabolic channel plasmas. However, in hollow channel plasmas these instabilities can be completely suppressed. The results suggest that hollow plasma channels may be effective in transporting ultra-intense lasers over many Rayleigh lengths.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Chiou et al. (1996) studied this question.