The Interaction of High-Power Lasers with Plasmas provides a thorough
self-contained discussion of the physical processes occurring in laser-plasma
interactions, including a detailed review of the relevant plasma and laser
physics. The book analyzes laser absorption and propagation, electron transport,
and the relevant plasma waves in detail. It also discusses the physics of the
electric and magnetic fields in a laser-induced plasma medium, laser-induced
shock waves, rarefaction waves, heat waves, and the related hydrodynamic
instabilities (Rayleigh-Taylor, Richtmyer-Meshkov, and Kelvin-Helmholtz).
A pedagogical presentation, the book addresses the basic physics issues from
first principles, using simple models wherever appropriate. The coverage
provides a foundation on which the graduate student can