Abstract

Channeling of intense optical fields is an important challenge, with possible applications in the context of laser plasma accelerators or X-rays lasers. It has been shown in recent papers that self-channeled pulses are subject to severe instabilities of the Raman type which modulate the laser pulse and erode its tail [1-5]. The simulations of Refs. 1-4 were based on laser-plasma fluid models corresponding to a cold plasma, which prevents from treating situations where the plasma oscillations reach the wavebreaking limit. In addition the models contain a mathematical singularity at zero plasma electron density which prevents its use when the electrons are totally expelled from the axis of the laser propagation (electron cavitation). Such features are strong limitations of the fluid models in the high intensity regime.

© 1994 Optical Society of America