Axial magnetic field generation by intense circularly polarized laser pulses in underdense plasmas

Journal Article · Sun Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2010 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3471940· OSTI ID:21432246

Naseri, N; Rozmus, W ^[1]; Bychenkov, V Yu ^[1]

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1. Theoretical Physics Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2J1 (Canada)

Axial magnetic field generation by intense circularly polarized laser beams in underdense plasmas has been studied with three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and by means of theoretical analysis. Comparisons between analytical models and simulation results have identified an inverse Faraday effect as the main mechanism of the magnetic field generation in inhomogeneous plasmas. The source of azimuthal nonlinear currents and of the axial magnetic field depends on the transverse inhomogeneities of the electron density and laser intensity. The fields reach a maximum strength of several tens of megagauss for laser pulses undergoing relativistic self-focusing and channeling in moderately relativistic regime. Ultrarelativistic laser conditions inhibit magnetic field generation by directly reducing a source term and by generating fully evacuated plasma channels.

• OSTI ID: 21432246
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 17; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRON DENSITY
ENERGY RANGE
FARADAY EFFECT
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA SIMULATION
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SIMULATION
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS