PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDY OF HOT-ELECTRONS GENERATED BY THE 2-PLASMON DECAY INSTABILITY

Hot electrons generated by the two-plasmon decay instability in a CO 2-laser irradiated under dense plasma are studied by photographic methods. For laser intensities less than 5X1013 W/cm2 the electrons are emitted in the plane of polarization. From the direction of their trajectories the wave vector distribution of the electron accelerating two-plasmon decay waves is determined. These wave vector measurements are in good agreement with values theoretically predicted for the fastest growing mode. For laser intensities larger than 6X1013 W/cm2 space-charge effects become important and hot electrons are detected out of the plane of polarization. © 1990 American Institute of Physics.