Efficient laser-overdense plasma coupling via surface plasma waves and steady magnetic field generation

Abstract

The efficiency of laser overdense plasma coupling via surface plasma wave excitation is investigated. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are performed over a wide range of laser pulse intensity from 1015 to 1020 W cm−2 μm2 with electron density ranging from 25 to 100nc to describe the laser interaction with a grating target where a surface plasma wave excitation condition is fulfilled. The numerical studies confirm an efficient coupling with an enhancement of the laser absorption up to 75%. The simulations also show the presence of a localized, quasi-static magnetic field at the plasma surface. Two interaction regimes are identified for low (Iλ2 < 1017 W cm−2 μm2) and high (Iλ2 > 1017 W cm−2 μm2) laser pulse intensities. At “relativistic” laser intensity, steady magnetic fields as high as ∼580 MG μm/λ0 at 7 × 1019 W cm−2 μm2 are obtained in the simulations.