EVOLUTION TO TURBULENCE IN A CAPACITOR MODEL OF RESONANCE-ABSORPTION

The interaction of a powerful, subpicosecond laser pulse with plasma is modeled within the capacitor model by means of one-dimensional electrostatic particle code. The temporal profile of the laser pulse and the growth of the electron energy by several orders of magnitude were taken into account providing adequate temporal and spatial resolution. It is shown that initially, a coherent structure is excited, and growth of plasma waves results in wave breaking and acceleration of electrons followed with decreasing intervals between them, accelerating electrons in both directions. Finally the system evolves to a state of moderate Langmuir turbulence where E2/ (16πnT)≪1 due to the strong heating of plasma electrons and the decrease of excited plasma wave fields. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.