Ponderomotive-force potential and density scale length in a laser-driven plasma

The modification of the density profile caused by the ponderomotive force in a laser plasma is further studied. A completely self-consistent three-parameter family of solutions for the ponderomotive-force potential and density scale length in a steady-state laser plasma is first derived. The boundary and junction conditions are given by the self-similar solution. The obtained results are more accurate and rigorous than the previous results.