Self-consistent dynamics of electromagnetic pulses and wakefields in laser-plasma interactions

Abstract

In the present analysis we study the time dependent, self-consistent propagation of nonlinear electromagnetic pulses in plasmas. Interactions of the electromagnetic pulses and wakefields are fully taken into account, from which one obtains accurate information on pulse time dependent dynamics and stability. While wide pulses may or may not retain the localized shape depending on their power, narrower pulses always tend to delocalize as time evolves.