Depolarization of intense laser beams by dynamic plasma density gratings

• DOI: 10.1017/hpl.2023.19
• Publication Date: 2023-02-23T08:24:53Z
• Authors: Y. X. Wang; S. M. Weng; P. Li; Z. C. Shen; X. Y. Jiang; J. Huang; X. L. Zhu; H. H. Ma; X. B. Zhang; X. F. Li; Z. M. Sheng; J. Zhang
• Keywords: depolarization; 0103 physical sciences; Applied optics. Photonics; high-power laser; plasma density grating; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; TA1501-1820

Abstract As a typical plasma-based optical element that can sustain ultra-high light intensity, plasma density gratings driven by intense laser pulses have been extensively studied for wide applications. Here, we show the grating two intersecting driver is not only nonuniform in space but also varies over time. Consequently, probe pulse passes through such dynamic will be depolarized, is, its polarization becomes spatially and temporally variable. More importantly, depolarization may spontaneously take place crossed beams if their angles are arranged properly. The find application mitigating parametric instabilities laser-driven inertial confinement fusion.