A general analytical solution for the temporal (or spatial) evolution of electromagnetic cascading in the context of beat-wave generation of intense plasma waves is given. The amplitude of the nonlinear beat plasmon can be solved separately, after which the solution of the whole electromagnetic cascade can be constructed in terms of Bessel functions. Implications of the analytical model for the beat-wave acceleration, plasma heating, and laser fusion are discussed.

• Received 10 September 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.56.604