Laboratory astroparticle physics

Abstract:

We present the first direct experimental observation of the parametric two-ion decay instability of ion-acoustic waves driven by a high intensity (5 x 10(15) W cm(-2)) laser beam in a laser produced high-Z plasma. Using two separate Thomson scattering diagnostics simultaneously, we directly measure the scattering from thermal ion-acoustic fluctuations, the primary ion waves that are driven to large amplitudes by the high intensity beam, and the two-ion decay products. The decay products are shown to be present only where the interaction takes place and their k spectrum is broad.

Abstract:

The measurement of the saturation of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) by an ion-trapping-induced frequency shift was investigated. It was achieved by directly measuring the amplitude and absolute frequency of SBS-driven ion-acoustic waves (IAW). A frequency of up to 30% was observed along with a saturation of driven SBS and IAW reflectivity. The fast 30 ps oscillations of the SBS-driven IAW amplitude induced by the frequency shift were also measured.

Abstract:

We report the first measurement of the saturation of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) by an ion-trapping-induced frequency shift, which was achieved by directly measuring the amplitude and absolute frequency of SBS-driven ion-acoustic waves (IAW). A frequency shift of up to 30% and a simultaneous saturation of driven IAW and SBS reflectivity were observed. The scaling of the frequency shift with the IAW amplitude compares well with theoretical calculations. We have further measured fast 30 ps oscillations of the SBS-driven IAW amplitude induced by the frequency shift.

Abstract:

This paper presents an improved analytical expression for the x-ray dynamic structure factor from a dense plasma which includes the effects of weakly bound electrons. This result can be applied to describe scattering from low to moderate Z plasmas, and it covers the entire range of plasma conditions that can be found in inertial confinement fusion experiments, from ideal to degenerate up to moderately coupled systems. The theory is used to interpret x-ray scattering experiments from solid density carbon plasmas and to extract accurate measurements of electron temperature, electron density, and charge state. The experimental results are applied to validate various equation-of-state models for carbon plasmas. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.