Interaction of laser plasma bunches

An experimental investigation was made of the interaction between two plasma bunches expanding in vacuum (p≤10^–4 Torr). The spatial structure of the radiation emitted by the interacting plasma bunches was determined. The radiation was in the form of spectral lines due to the Be I-III ions and it was found that the radiation emitted by ions with a given degree of ionization was localized. A mathematical model of the process was developed and used to obtain dynamic, ionization, and optical characteristics of the interacting bunches. Such calculations yielded the spatial pattern of the charge composition of the plasma in the interaction zone. A comparison was made of the calculated and experimental emission coefficients of the individual Be II and Be III lines.