Adam Higuet will present his comprehensive exam topic, “Parametric Three-Wave Instabilities in Under-Dense Laser-Plasma Interactions” in-person.

ABSTRACT: A summary of parametric three-wave instabilities for laser interactions with under-dense plasmas is given, with specific focus on theoretical approaches. Of particular interest are the electrostatic mode of two-plasmon decay and the electromagnetic stimulated Raman scattering mode, as well as their unified description as a singular High Frequency Hybrid Instability. Descriptions of these three-wave instabilities via a variational principle and via local expansion methods are explored. The exposition is concluded with suggestions of further parameter regimes and considerations to improve the usefulness of the theory.