Theory of stimulated scattering processes in laser-irradiated plasmas

Abstract

Analytic theory of the linear and nonlinear behavior of the one-dimensional Brillouin and Raman scattering instabilities is given. Results are presented for the problems of an infinite homogeneous plasma and of a finite inhomogeneous plasma. Nonlinear fluid equations can predict backscatter energies the order of the incident laser energy; however, the size of the interaction region and nonlinear effects on the excited electrostatic wave are very important in determining the amount of backscatter. In many cases of contemporary interest for a high power laser incident on a target plasma, the latter effects can play a crucial role in reducing backscatter to a tolerable level.