Particle-in-Cell Simulations of Nonlinear Laser–Plasma Interactions and Hot-Electron Generations in the Shock-Ignition Regime

We performed particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations with parameters relevant to laser–plasma interaction (LPI) experiments on OMEGA EP using high laser intensities ($10^{16}$ to $10^{17} W/cm^2$). Rich physics were observed in this new LPI regime, including laser filamentation and plasma cavitation, plasma waves beyond the Landau cutoff, and significant pump depletion. We will also compare hot-electron generation from the simulations with the experimental measurements. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy under Grant No. DE-SC0012316; by NSF under Grant No. PHY-1314734; and by Laboratory for Laser Energetics. The research used resources of the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center.