Novel plasma-based frequency upshift methods for short pulse lasers.

摘要

We discuss various novel methods of frequency upshifting short ((le) 1 picosecond) pulses of laser light. All of these methods make use of either the sudden creation of a plasma or relativistic plasma waves. The first method discussed is known as photon acceleration. This method makes use of the fact that a laser pulse moving in a plasma can be thought of as a packet of photons, each possessing an effective mass of m(sub (gamma)) = (h bar)(omega)(sub pe)/c(sup 2) and moving with the group velocity of the laser pulse. These photons experience a force acting on them when in the presence of a gradient in the plasma density. By using a relativistic plasma wave (i.e., a moving density gradient) traveling with the photons, the energy of the photons (thus the frequency) can be continuously increased. We then discuss the sudden creation of a plasma in a region where there exists an electromagnetic wave. This results in a frequency shift of the wave. A similar method is the creation of an ionization front moving near the speed of light, whereby the interaction of this plasma front with an EM wave also results in a frequency upshift of the original wave. 21 refs.