Waveguiding by axicon-focused laser beams

摘要

We propose a method for formation of a long plasma waveguide based on axicon focusing of a radially polarized CO(sub 2) laser pulse into a uniform, low density discharge plasma. Simulations demonstrate that an extended cylindrical plasma channel with a wall height (Delta)N(sub e) = 1.5 (times) 10(sup 16)cm(sup (minus)3) will be produced in a DC or RF discharge in 0.17 atm of hydrogen after axicon-focusing of a nanosecond 1-GW/cm(sup 2) CO(sub 2) laser pulse.