Dissipative MHD simulation of capillary plasmas for guiding of intense ultrashort laser pulses

MHD simulation of the capillary discharges was performed to choose the plasma parameters for guiding of high intense ultrashort laser pulses in the Laser Wake Field Accelerators. Dissipative plasma processes as well ablation and ionization of capillary wall materials were taken into account. We have demonstrated the possibility to achieve such discharge regimes for which MHD instabilities inherent for discharges of Z-pinch type do not occur. ©1998 The