The propagation characteristics of various laser modes with different polarization, as well as the soliton generation in strongly magnetized plasmas are studied numerically through one-dimensional (1D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations and analytically by solving the laser wave equation. PIC simulations show that the laser heating efficiency substantially depends on the magnetic field strength, the propagation modes of the laser pulse and their intensities. Generally, large amplitude laser can efficiently heat the plasma with strong magnetic field. Theoretical analyses on the linear propagation of the laser pulse in both under-dense and over-dense magnetized plasmas are well confirmed by the numerical observations. Most interestingly, it is found that a standing or moving soliton with frequency lower than the laser frequency is generated in certain magnetic field strength and laser intensity range, which can greatly enhance the laser heating efficiency. The range of magnetic field strength for the right-hand circularly polarized (RCP) soliton formation with high and low frequencies is identified by solving the soliton equations including the contribution of ion's motion and the finite temperature effects under the quasi-neutral approximation. In the limit of immobile ions, the RCP soliton tends to be peaked and stronger as the magnetic field increases, while the enhanced soliton becomes broader as the temperature increases. These findings in 1D model are well validated by 2D simulations.
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March 2016
Research Article|
March 03 2016
Laser propagation and soliton generation in strongly magnetized plasmas
W. Feng;
W. Feng
Graduate School of Energy Science,
Kyoto University
, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Search for other works by this author on:
J. Q. Li
;
J. Q. Li
Graduate School of Energy Science,
Kyoto University
, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Search for other works by this author on:
Y. Kishimoto
Y. Kishimoto
Graduate School of Energy Science,
Kyoto University
, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
Search for other works by this author on:
Phys. Plasmas 23, 032102 (2016)
Article history
Received:
December 09 2015
Accepted:
February 14 2016
Citation
W. Feng, J. Q. Li, Y. Kishimoto; Laser propagation and soliton generation in strongly magnetized plasmas. Phys. Plasmas 1 March 2016; 23 (3): 032102. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4942789
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