Possibility of controlling coherent properties of power laser beams by means of a plasma filter

Energy, angular, spectral and coherent characteristics have been studied of the high-power neodymium laser radiation which is scattered by a plasma corona at the surface of exposed solid targets. The high uniformity of the scattered radiation beam is explained by the loss of the coherence at the ''rippled'' reflecting surface. Possible use is discussed of plasma filters in laser fusion experiments to provide for the required uniformity of irradiation of spherical targets