A nonlinear one-dimensional theory is developed that describes some important aspects of intense laser-plasma interactions. The self-consistent laser-plasma analysis includes nonlinear plasma wake-field generation, relativistic optical guiding, coherent harmonic radiation production, as well as other related phenomena. Relativistic optical guiding is found to be most effective for long laser pulses having slow rise times. Short laser pulses are shown to be weakly guided. Coherent harmonic generation using a linearly polarized laser is found to be most efficient for short laser pulses and can be enhanced by the presence of large amplitude plasma wake fields. Aspects of particle acceleration by laser pulses as well as possible methods for upshifting the frequency of laser pulses are also discussed.

• Received 10 January 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.41.4463