Evolution of a laser wake cavity in a MCF plasma.

A laser pulse focused to relativistic intensity inside a magnetically confined fusion (MCF) plasma plows away all electrons in its path. The ensuing Coulomb explosion of the ions leaves behind a cavity of microscopic size, with gradients in the electric potential and plasma density orders of magnitude stronger than anything the plasma could generate spontaneously. When posing questions concerning the practical utility of such an exotic perturbation, the life time and structural evolution of the cavity are of interest. Our simulations in a simplified 1D + 2D setting and otherwise realistic parameters suggest that a sub-mm wide seed cavity (meant to resemble the laser wake channel) collapses or disintegrates within 10 ns. The dynamics are sensitive to the relative scales of the cavity, Debye shielding and gyration. We find evidence for the possibility that the collapsing seed cavity spawns solitary micro-cavities. It remains to be seen whether such structures form and survive long enough in a 3D setting to alter the local plasma conditions (e.g., as micro-cavity clusters) in ways that may be utilized for practical purposes such as plasma initiation, diagnostics or control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]