Study of propagation of ultraintense electromagnetic wave through plasma using semi-Lagrangian Vlasov codes

Interaction of relativistically strong laser pulses with underdense and ove rdense plasmas is investigated by a semi-Lagrangian Vlasov code. These Vlas ov simulations revealed a rich variety of phenomena associated with the fas t particle dynamics induced by the electromagnetic wave as electron trappin g, particle acceleration, and electron plasma wavebreaking, To describe the distribution of accelerated particle momenta and energy will require a ver y detailed analysis of the kinetic and time history of the plasma wave evol ution. The semi-Lagrangian Vlasov code allows us to handle the interaction of ultrashort electromagnetic pulse with plasma at strongly relativistic in tensities with a great deal of resolution in phase space.