In the present paper, we have investigated self-focusing of the quadruple Gaussian laser beam in underdense cold quantum plasma. The non-linearity chosen is associated with the relativistic mass effect that arises due to quiver motion of electron and electron density perturbation caused by ponderomotive force. The non-linearity modifies the plasma frequency in the dielectric function and hence the refractive index of the medium. The focusing/defocusing of the quadruple laser depends on the refractive index of the medium. We have set up non-linear differential equation that controls the beam width parameter by using well-known paraxial ray approximation and Wentzel–Krammers–Brillouin approximation. The effect of intensity parameter and electron temperature is observed on laser beam self-focusing in the presence of cold quantum plasma. From the results, it is revealed that electron temperature and the initial intensity of the laser beam control the profile dynamics of the laser beam.

The paper presents an investigation on self-focusing of cosh-Gaussian (ChG) laser beam in a relativistic–ponderomotive non-uniform plasma. It is observed numerically that the selection of decentered parameter and initial beam radius determines the focusing/defocusing of ChG laser beam. For given value of these parameters, the plasma density ramp of suitable length can avoid defocusing and enhance focusing effect significantly. Focusing length and extent of focusing may also be controlled by varying slope of the ramp density. A comparison with Gaussian beam has also been attempted for optimized set of parameters. The results establish that ChG beam focuses earlier and sharper relative to Gaussian beam. We have setup the non-linear differential equation for the beam width parameter using Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin and paraxial ray approximation and solved it numerically using Runge–Kutta method.

In the present paper, we have investigated self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in relativistic ponderomotive (RP) cold quantum plasma. When de Broglie wavelength of charged particles is greater than or equal to the inter particle distance or equivalently the temperature is less than or equal to the Fermi temperature, quantum nature of the plasma constituents cannot be ignored. In this context, we have reported self-focusing on account of nonlinear dielectric contribution of RP plasma by taking into consideration the impact of quantum effects. We have setup the nonlinear differential equation for the beam-width parameter by paraxial ray and Wentzel Kramers Brillouin approximation and solved it numerically by the Runge Kutta Fourth order method. Our results show that additional self-focusing is achieved in case of RP cold quantum plasma than relativistic cold quantum plasma and classical relativistic case. The pinching effect offered by quantum plasma and the combined effect of relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearity greatly enhances laser propagation up to 20 Rayleigh lengths.

Two collinear laser pulses of finite spot size propagating through a capillary plasma, modeled as a hollow plasma cylinder, are shown to produce beat frequency terahertz (THz) surface plasmons at the inner surface. The evanescent laser fields in the plasma impart oscillatory velocity to electrons and exert a beat ponderomotive force on them. The static component of the ponderomotive force inhibits plasma from filling the vacuum region while the beat frequency component produces a nonlinear current (${\vec J^{{\;\rm NL}}}$) that drives the difference frequency THz surface plasma wave (SPW). Phase matching for the THz surface wave excitation is achieved when the group velocity of the lasers equals the phase velocity of the beat frequency SPW. At laser intensities of ~1014 W/cm2 at 10 μm wavelength, one may attain normalized surface wave amplitude ~ 0.03.

The nonlinear parabolic partial differential equation governing the evolution of the complex envelope in the slowly varying envelope approximation is solved using the variational approach. The basic nonlinear phenomena of relativistic and ponderomotive self-focusing in a plasma channel are taken into account. Self-focusing, self-phase modulation as well as self-trapping of laser beam is studied in a variety of situations. Further, in the absence of dissipation mechanisms, the stability of the beam is also studied.

This article presents an effect of cross focusing of two laser beams on the growth of a laser ripple in laser-produced plasmas. The mechanism of nonlinearity is assumed to be ponderomotive force, arising because of the Gaussian intensity distribution of the laser beams. The dynamical equation governing the laser ripple intensity has been set up and a numerical solution has been presented for typical laser plasma parameters. It is found that the change in the intensity of the second laser beam can affect the growth of the laser ripple significantly.