Laser Plasma Physics: Forces and the Nonlinearity Principle (SPIE Press Monograph Vol. PM75)

This book will be an important reference work for the field of high intensity and high plasma density laser-plasma interactions for years to come. It covers everything from single particles to dense fluids, from computational physics to the practical results in fusion. In addition, it contains excellent and clear treatments of the theory of electrodynamics, laser-driven hydrodynamics, the Lorentz force, complex refractive index, and relativistic effects in plasmas.Contents - Preface - Introduction to the Ponderomotive Potential and Overview about Related Phenomena - Elementary Plasma Properties and Hydrodynamics - Electrodynamics and Plasma - Hydrodynamic Derivation of the Nonlinear Forces with Ponderomotion - Hydrodynamic Plasma Properties with the Nonlinear Force - Single Particle Derivation of the Nonlinear Force - Table of Contents - Conclusions and Consequences - Appendix 1: Measured Laser Fusion Gains Reproduced by Self-Similar Volume Compression and Volume Ignition for NIF Conditions - Appendix 2: Principle of High Accuracy of the Nonlinear Theory for Electron Acceleration in Vacuum by Lasers at Relativistic Intensities - References - Index