MATHEMATICAL-MODELS OF SUBSONIC LAVAL NOZZLES OF LASER-PLASMA ACCELERATORS

The paper deals with two-dimensional mathematical models of radiation-gasdynamic processes in Laval nozzles of laser-plasma accelerators. One of the models is based on the solution of Navier-Stokes equations for subsonic compressible flows in the ''velocity-pressure'' variables. The other model involves the use of dynamic variables. The finite-difference schemes are constructed on the basis of equations written in the conservative form in nonorthogonal coordinates. The results are presented of calculations of the thermogasdynamic structure of atmospheric-pressure air flows under conditions of their local heating by focused radiation of a continuous CO2 laser. Analysis is made of radiation-gasdynamic processes for different values of laser power, flow velocity, and nozzle size.