Parallelized PIC Simulation Codes for Modeling Laser-Plasma Interactions and Examples of Their Results

K-C.Tzeng, R.G.Hemker, F.S.Tsung, and W.B.Mori

University of California, Los Angeles

Abstract:

Laser-plasma interactions are important for a variety of applications including plasma-based accelerators, plasma-based light sources, and inertial confinement fusion. At UCLA we have developed several parallelized particle-in-cell codes for studying laser-plasma interactions. In a two-dimensional code, PEGASUS, the field solve and current deposition are identical to those in ISIS, but the cartesian computational window moves with the laser-pulse. In another three-dimensional code the fields are solved locally and an iterative version of Marder’s scheme (Langdon’s correction) is used to maintain charge conservation. We have used these codes to study numerous processes. Using PEGASUS, we have studied the self-modulation of an intense short-pulse from Raman scattering, hosing, sausaging, self-focusing, self-phase modulation, and cavitation. We have also studied the acceleration of electrons in the plasmon wake of both pre-modulated and self-modulated laser pulses. Using the 3D code, we have studied asymmetric self-focusing and wake formation. In this talk we will present details of the codes and examples of the aforementioned results.

Work supported by DOE, NSF, and LLNL.