2016 Volume 11 Pages 2401071
A two-dimensional particle in cell code has been used to demonstrate the formation mechanism of a periodic nanograting structure in the hydrogen plasma. By using a linearly polarized, ultrafast laser beam with a wavelength of 800 nm, an incidence angle of 0◦, and an intensity of 1016 W/cm2-µm2, the periodic nanograting structure was clearly self-organized at the boundary between a preformed and dense plasma at t = 600 fs. The bidirectional surface plasma wave plays a significant role together with the oscillating two-stream instability in producing the periodic nanograting structure.