Observation of relativistic cross-phase modulation in high-intensity laser-plasma interactions

S. Chen, M. Rever, P. Zhang, W. Theobald, D. Umstadter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

A nonlinear optical phenomenon, relativistic cross-phase modulation, is reported. A relativistically intense light beam (I=1.3A 1018 W cma 2, λ=1.05 Î m) is experimentally observed to cause phase modulation of a lower intensity, copropagating light beam in a plasma. The latter beam is generated when the former undergoes the stimulated Raman forward scattering instability. The bandwidth of the Raman satellite is found to be broadened from 3.8â€"100 nm when the pump laser power is increased from 0.45â€"2.4 TW. A signature of relativistic cross-phase modulation, namely, asymmetric spectral broadening of the Raman signal, is observed at a pump power of 2.4 TW. The experimental cross-phase modulated spectra compared well with theoretical calculations. Applications to generation of high-power single-cycle pulses are also discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number046406
JournalPhysical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
Volume74
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Statistics and Probability
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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