Stimulated Raman scatter from laser-produced plasmas: Merely nonlinear or also chaotic

摘要

Stimulated Raman scattering in plasmas is a three-wave instability with important practical consequences for laser fusion. Most studies of this process to date have focused on its threshold. Even the linear-theory threshold poses interesting problems; and observed thresholds have been difficult to interpret. However, with increasing evidence that this instability often becomes absolute, it has become appropriate to examine saturation mechanisms as well. A number of such mechanisms are discussed here, one of which has been reported to have a chaotic regime. 26 refs., 4 figs.