The possibility of inducing a gratinglike electronic distribution at the surface of a plasma irradiated by two crossed laser beams is analyzed for $s$ and $p$ beam polarizations. A simple relativistic model allows us to predict the fringe location, and to give an analytical expression for the time-averaged charge density. The stability of the grating structure depending on the beam polarization is also discussed. Finally, we test our conclusions in the light of the numerical integration of the Lorentz and Poisson equations by means of a one-dimensional particle-in-cell code.

• Received 30 May 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.56.7142