Theory of relativistic self-focusing of laser radiation in plasmas

Propagation into a homogeneous plasma of a laser beam at irradiances higher than 1/500 of the relativistic threshold can result in self-focusing due to the highly sensitive relativistic dependence of the optical constants on laser irradiance. Electron densities slightly less than the relativistic-cutoff densities are required. Simultaneously with the self-focusing, it is also possible to achieve a dielectric increase (swelling) of laser energy density in the plasma that could reach 1/3 of its maximum value. In prepulsed plasmas, generated by Nd-glass-laser pulses of 3 × 1016 W/cm2, relativistic diffraction-limited self-focusing can generate relativistic electron-oscillation energies and hence pair production.