Spatial temporal theory of Raman forward scattering

Abstract

Raman forward scattering is examined in regimes relevant to short-pulse (<1ps) high-intensity (I≤1018 W/cm2) laser-plasma interactions. A set of coupled differential equations is derived which describes the spatial-temporal growth of forward and near forward Raman scattering for plane wave pumps. An exact solution for direct forward scattering is obtained for physically relevant initial/boundary conditions. Furthermore, the asymptotic behavior at near forward angles is compared to finite width analyses in which the paraxial ray approximation is made. Noise sources for Raman forward scattering are examined. The consequences of these results to present and near term experiments are discussed.