Three-dimensional simulations of laser-plasma interactions at ultrahigh intensities

摘要

Three-dimensional (3D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations are used toinvestigate the interaction of ultrahigh intensity lasers ($> 10^{20}$W/cm$^{-2}$) with matter at overcritical densities. Intense laser pulses areshown to penetrate up to relativistic critical density levels and to bestrongly self-focused during this process. The heat flux of the acceleratedelectrons is observed to have an annular structure when the laser is tightlyfocused, showing that a large fraction of fast electrons is accelerated at anangle. These results shed light into the multi-dimensional effects present inlaser-plasma interactions of relevance to fast ignition of fusion targets andlaser-driven ion acceleration in plasmas.