Spectral analysis of structure functions and their scaling exponents in forced isotropic turbulence

The pseudospectral method, in conjunction with a new technique for obtaining scaling exponents $\zeta_n$ from the structure functions $S_n(r)$, is presented as an alternative to the extended self-similarity (ESS) method and the use of generalized structure functions. We propose plotting the ratio $|S_n(r)/S_3(r)|$ against the separation $r$ in accordance with a standard technique for analysing experimental data. This method differs from the ESS technique, which plots $S_n(r)$ against $S_3(r)$, with the assumption $S_3(r) \sim r$. Using our method for the particular case of $S_2(r)$ we obtain the new result that the exponent $\zeta_2$ decreases as the Taylor-Reynolds number increases, with $\zeta_2 \to 0.679 \pm 0.013$ as $R_{\lambda} \to \infty$. This supports the idea of finite-viscosity corrections to the K41 prediction for $S_2$, and is the opposite of the result obtained by ESS. The pseudospectral method also permits the forcing to be taken into account exactly through the calculation of the energy input in real space from the work spectrum of the stirring forces.Comment: 31 pages including appendices, 10 figure

Energy transfer and dissipation in forced isotropic turbulence

A model for the Reynolds number dependence of the dimensionless dissipation rate $C_{\varepsilon}$ was derived from the dimensionless K\'{a}rm\'{a}n-Howarth equation, resulting in $C_{\varepsilon}=C_{\varepsilon, \infty} + C/R_L + O(1/R_L^2)$, where $R_L$ is the integral scale Reynolds number. The coefficients $C$ and $C_{\varepsilon,\infty}$ arise from asymptotic expansions of the dimensionless second- and third-order structure functions. This theoretical work was supplemented by direct numerical simulations (DNSs) of forced isotropic turbulence for integral scale Reynolds numbers up to $R_L=5875$ ($R_\lambda=435$), which were used to establish that the decay of dimensionless dissipation with increasing Reynolds number took the form of a power law $R_L^n$ with exponent value $n = -1.000\pm 0.009$, and that this decay of $C_{\varepsilon}$ was actually due to the increase in the Taylor surrogate $U^3/L$. The model equation was fitted to data from the DNS which resulted in the value $C=18.9\pm 1.3$ and in an asymptotic value for $C_\varepsilon$ in the infinite Reynolds number limit of $C_{\varepsilon,\infty} = 0.468 \pm 0.006$.Comment: 26 pages including references and 6 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1307.457

Re-examination of the infra-red properties of randomly stirred hydrodynamics

Dynamic renormalization group (RG) methods were originally used by Forster, Nelson and Stephen (FNS) to study the large-scale behaviour of randomly-stirred, incompressible fluids governed by the Navier-Stokes equations. Similar calculations using a variety of methods have been performed since, but have led to a discrepancy in results. In this paper, we carefully re-examine in $d$-dimensions the approaches used to calculate the renormalized viscosity increment and, by including an additional constraint which is neglected in many procedures, conclude that the original result of FNS is correct. By explicitly using step functions to control the domain of integration, we calculate a non-zero correction caused by boundary terms which cannot be ignored. We then go on to analyze how the noise renormalization, absent in many approaches, contributes an ${\mathcal O}(k^2)$ correction to the force autocorrelation and show conditions for this to be taken as a renormalization of the noise coefficient. Following this, we discuss the applicability of this RG procedure to the calculation of the inertial range properties of fluid turbulence.Comment: 16 pages, 6 figure

Cooling of relativistic electron beams in intense laser pulses : chirps and radiation

Next-generation high-power laser facilities (such as the Extreme Light Infrastructure) will provide unprecedented field intensities, and will allow us to probe qualitatively new physical regimes for the first time. One of the important fundamental questions which will be addressed is particle dynamics when radiation reaction and quantum effects play a significant role. Classical theories of radiation reaction predict beam cooling in the interaction of a relativistic electron bunch and a high-intensity laser pulse, with final-state properties only dependent on the laser fluence. The observed quantum suppression of this cooling instead exhibits a dependence on the laser intensity directly. This offers the potential for final-state properties to be modified or even controlled by tailoring the intensity profile of the laser pulse. In addition to beam properties, quantum effects will be manifest in the emitted radiation spectra, which could be manipulated for use as radiation sources. We compare predictions made by classical, quasi-classical and stochastic theories of radiation reaction, and investigate the influence of chirped laser pulses on the observed radiation spectra

Raman backscattering saturation due to coupling between ωp and 2ωp modes in plasma

Raman backscattering (RBS) in plasma is the basis of plasma-based amplifiers and is important in laser-driven fusion experiments. We show that saturation can arise from nonlinearities due to coupling between the fundamental and harmonic plasma wave modes for sufficiently intense pump and seed pulses. We present a time-dependent analysis that shows that plasma wave phase shifts reach a maximum close to wavebreaking. The study contributes to a new understanding of RBS saturation for counter-propagating laser pulses

Oscillating Fracture in Rubber

We have found an oscillating instability of fast-running cracks in thin rubber sheets. A well-defined transition from straight to oscillating cracks occurs as the amount of biaxial strain increases. Measurements of the amplitude and wavelength of the oscillation near the onset of this instability indicate that the instability is a Hopf bifurcation

An accurate description of quantum size effects in InP nanocrystallites over a wide range of sizes

We obtain an effective parametrization of the bulk electronic structure of InP within the Tight Binding scheme. Using these parameters, we calculate the electronic structure of InP clusters with the size ranging upto 7.5 nm. The calculated variations in the electronic structure as a function of the cluster size is found to be in excellent agreement with experimental results over the entire range of sizes, establishing the effectiveness and transferability of the obtained parameter strengths.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, pdf file available at http://sscu.iisc.ernet.in/~sampan/publications.htm

Towards attosecond high-energy electron bunches : controlling self-injection in laser wakefield accelerators through plasma density modulation

Self-injection in a laser-plasma wakefield accelerator (LWFA) is usually achieved by increasing the laser intensity until the threshold for injection is exceeded. Alternatively, the velocity of the bubble accelerating structure can be controlled using plasma density ramps, reducing the electron velocity required for injection. We present a model describing self-injection in the short bunch regime for arbitrary changes in the plasma density. We derive the threshold condition for injection due to a plasma density gradient, which is confirmed using particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations that demonstrate injection of sub-femtosecond bunches. It is shown that the bunch charge, bunch length and separation of bunches in a bunch train can be controlled by tailoring the plasma density profile

Eupraxia, a step toward a plasma-wakefield based accelerator with high beam quality

The EuPRAXIA project aims at designing the world's first accelerator based on advanced plasma-wakefield techniques to deliver 5 GeV electron beams that simultaneously have high charge, low emittance and low energy spread, which are required for applications by future user communities. Meeting this challenging objective will only be possible through dedicated effort. Many injection/acceleration schemes and techniques have been explored by means of thorough simulations in more than ten European research institutes. This enables selection of the most appropriate methods for solving each particular problem. The specific challenge of generating, extracting and transporting high charge beams, while maintaining the high quality needed for user applications, are being tackled using innovative approaches. This article highlights preliminary results obtained by the EuPRAXIA collaboration, which also exhibit the required laser and plasma parameters

Optical pumped ultra-short pulse CO2 lasers as drivers of laser-plasma accelerators and other applications

Optically pumped CO 2 lasers can operate with high efficiency, high repetition rate and large bandwidths, suitable for producing ultra-short pulses at terawatts to petawatts, in contrast to conventional discharge-pumped CO2 lasers, which are restricted by the requirements of discharge dynamics in high-pressure gas. We show how an optically pumped CO2 laser can be realised and we consider its application in laser-driven acceleration. There is potential to replace conventional transversely excited atmospheric CO2 lasers with diode-pumped solid-state lasers as a pump laser for a high-pressure CO2 gain medium, making it suitable for amplifying ultra-short pulses. We show that by driving a laser plasma wakefield accelerator with an ultra-short pulse CO 2 laser, a very high charge, high average current, high energy accelerator can be constructed. This could have a major impact on the application of these novel accelerators and radiation sources based on them