The Physics of Laser Plasmas and Applications - Volume 1: Physics of Laser Matter Interaction (Springer Series in Plasma Science and Technology)

The series of books discusses the physics of laser and matter interaction, fluid dynamics of high-temperature and high-density compressible plasma, and kinetic phenomena and particle dynamics in laser-produced plasma. The book (Vol.1) gives the physics of intense-laser absorption in matter and/or plasma in non-relativistic and relativistic laser-intensity regime. In many cases, it is explained with clear images of physics so that an intuitive understanding of individual physics is possible for non-specialists.

For intense-laser of 10^13-16 W/cm², the laser energy is mainly absorbed via collisional process, where the oscillation energy is converted to thermal energy by non-adiabatic Coulomb collision with the ions. Collisionless interactions with the collective modes in plasma are also described. The main topics are the interaction of ultra-intense laser and plasma for the intensity near and over 10¹⁸W/cm². In such regime, relativistic dynamics become essential.   

A new physics appears due to the relativistic effects, such as mass correction, relativistic nonlinear force, chaos physics of particle motions, and so on. The book provides clearly the theoretical base for challenging the laser-plasma interaction physics in the wide range of power lasers.

It is suitable as a textbook for upper-undergraduate and graduate students as well as for readers who want to understand the whole physics structure about what happen when an intense-laser irradiates any materials including solids, gas etc. Explaining the physics intuitively without complicated mathematics, it is also a valuable resource for engineering students and researchers as well as for self-study.

Dr. Hideaki Takabe is a Professor Emeritus at the Institute of Laser Science, Osaka University. He obtained his Ph.D. in the field of laser implosion fusion theory from Osaka University. Following his time at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics and the University of Arizona, he focused on theoretical and computational research in laser fusion and laboratory astrophysics at ILE, Osaka University. After opting for early retirement, he relocated first to the Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden Rossendorf (HZDR) in Dresden and subsequently to the National Taiwan University in Taipei.

His research pursuits encompass a range of disciplines, including plasma physics, laser fusion, computational physics, and laboratory astrophysics. Notably, his early contributions to the field of ablative stabilization of hydrodynamic instabilities have become widely recognized as the Takabe formula. He stands as a trailblazer in the realm of laboratory astrophysics driven by intense lasers. His accomplishments include being recognized as a Fellow of the American Physical Society and receiving prestigious awards such as the Edward Teller Award (from ANS) and the John Dawson Award (from APS).