On the interaction of focused electromagnetic beams and space-charge fields in laser-plasma systems

Abstract

In the present analysis we study the weakly nonlinear coupled dynamics involving focused radiation beams and spacecharge fields in laser-plasmas systems. We direct the analysis to regimes evolving with the co-moving coordinate of the beam frame, but do not make any assumptions on paraxial or underdense conditions. The model thus constructed allows us to investigate equilibrium and nonequilibrium regimes alike. Dependence of equilibrium profiles on control parameters is examined, and beam stability and evolution is investigated as one adds small mismatches to the ideally matched equilibrium. Details of beam evolution depend on initial conditions. However, independently of the precise form of initial conditions, mismatched beams evolve to incoherent space-time patterns.