Showing papers on "Relativistic plasma published in 1998"
TL;DR: In this article, the spatial extent of the plasma wave and the spectrum of the accelerated electrons are simultaneously measured when the relativistic plasma wave associated with Raman forward scattering of an intense laser beam reaches the wave breaking limit.
Abstract: The spatial extent of the plasma wave and the spectrum of the accelerated electrons are simultaneously measured when the relativistic plasma wave associated with Raman forward scattering of an intense laser beam reaches the wave breaking limit. The maximum observed energy of 94 MeV is greater than that expected from the phase slippage between the electrons and the accelerating electric field as given by the linear theory for preinjected electrons. The results are in good agreement with 2D particle-in-cell code simulations of the experiment.
178 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the narrow line regions of Seyfert galaxies are powered by the transport of energy and momentum by the radio-emitting jets, which implies that the ratio of the radio power to jet energy flux is much smaller than is usually assumed for radio galaxies.
Abstract: We argue that the narrow-line regions (NLRs) of Seyfert galaxies are powered by the transport of energy and momentum by the radio-emitting jets. This implies that the ratio of the radio power to jet energy flux is much smaller than is usually assumed for radio galaxies. This can be partially attributed to the smaller ages (~106 yr) of Seyferts compared to radio galaxies, but one also requires that either the magnetic energy density is more than 1 order of magnitude below the equipartition value or, more likely, that the internal energy densities of Seyfert jets are dominated by thermal plasma, as distinct from the situation in radio galaxy jets where the jet plasma is generally taken to be nonthermally dominated. If one assumes that the internal energy densities of Seyfert jets are initially dominated by relativistic plasma, then an analysis of the data on jets in five Seyfert galaxies shows that all but one of these would have mildly relativistic jet velocities near 100 pc in order to power the respective narrow-line regions. However, observations of jet-cloud interactions in the NLR provide additional information on jet velocities and composition via the momentum budget. Our analysis of a jet-cloud interaction in NGC 1068, 24 pc from the core implies a shocked jet pressure much larger than the minimum pressure of the radio knot, a velocity (probably accurate to within a factor of a few) ~0.06c (18,000 km s-1), and a temperature of thermal gas in the jet ~109 K, implying mildly relativistic electrons but thermal protons. The estimated jets velocity is proportional to the jet energy flux and provides an independent argument that the energy flux in the northern NGC 1068 jet is much greater than previously supposed and is capable of providing significant energy input to the narrow line region. The jet mass flux at this point ~0.5 M☉ yr-1, is 1 oder of magnitude higher than the mass accretion rate ~0.05 M☉ yr-1 estimated from the bolometric luminosity of the nucleus, strongly indicating entrainment into the jet and accompanying deceleration. Consequently, the jet velocity near the black hole is possibly mildly relativistic. We estimate an initial jet mass flux ~0.02 M☉ yr-1 which is comparable to the mass accretion rate. This mass flux is consistent with the densities inferred for accretion disk coronae from high energy observations, together with an initially mildly relativistic velocity and an initial jet radius of order 10 gravitational radii.
116 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an explicit mathematical formalism is developed to evaluate the growth rate of field-aligned electromagnetic R-mode waves in a relativistic plasma, and numerical results are obtained for realistic plasma parameters using three distinct distribution functions for the relativist electron population.
Abstract: An explicit mathematical formalism is developed to evaluate the growth rate of field-aligned electromagnetic R-mode waves in a relativistic plasma. The methodology is valid for weak wave growth or damping when the resonant relativistic electrons comprise a small portion of the total plasma population. Numerical results are obtained for realistic plasma parameters using three distinct distribution functions for the relativistic electron population. Wave growth rates obtained by numerical integration along the resonant relativistic ellipse are shown to be substantially smaller than calculations performed under the nonrelativistic approximation. The relativistic corrections are primarily due to a reduction in the resonant electron anisotropy. Changes from the standard nonrelativistic treatment are noticeable at relatively small electron thermal energies (a few keV), and they become very significant for thermal energies above 100 keV, especially in low density regions where the plasma frequency is comparable ...
100 citations
TL;DR: For the relativistic Vlasov-Maxwell system in the plane with smooth initial data, bounds on particle speeds were derived in this paper, and it was shown that solutions remain smooth as long as particle speeds do not approach the speed of light.
Abstract: The motion of a collisionless plasma is modeled by the Vlasov‐Maxwell system. For the relativistic Vlasov‐Maxwell system in the plane with smooth initial data, bounds on particle speeds are derived. In an earlier work [10] it was shown that solutions remain smooth as long as particle speeds do not approach the speed of light. When these results are combined, it follows that solutions remain smooth for all time.
94 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a particle-in-cell model is used to demonstrate that electron blowout/cavitation and relativistic self-focusing can be prevented by the occurrence of stimulated Raman scattering and plasma heating.
Abstract: We use a fully explicit particle-in-cell model to demonstrate that electron blowout/cavitation and relativistic self-focusing can be prevented by the occurrence of stimulated Raman scattering and plasma heating. The suppression results predominantly from the scattering of laser power out of the focal cone and from the decrease in the plasma fluid's quiver velocity when the plasma is heated to multi-MeV temperatures.
80 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the thermodynamic potential of a relativistic system governed by electromagnetic interactions is derived in terms of fully dressed propagators, an approach which allows us to resolve the entropy of the system into contributions from its interacting elementary excitations.
Abstract: We generalize the concept of conserving, Φ-derivable, approximations to relativistic field theories. Treating the interaction field as a dynamical degree of freedom, we derive the thermodynamic potential in terms of fully dressed propagators, an approach which allows us to resolve the entropy of a relativistic plasma into contributions from its interacting elementary excitations. We illustrate the derivation for a hot relativistic system governed by electromagnetic interactions.
63 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple model for variability in relativistic plasma outflows is studied, in which nonthermal electrons are continuously and uniformly injected in the comoving frame over a time interval Δt.
Abstract: A simple model for variability in relativistic plasma outflows is studied, in which nonthermal electrons are continuously and uniformly injected in the comoving frame over a time interval Δt. The evolution of the electron distribution is assumed to be dominated by synchrotron losses, and the energy and time dependence of the synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) fluxes are calculated for a power-law electron injection function with index s=2. The mean time of a flare or pulse measured at photon energy E with respect to the onset of the injection event varies as E-½ and E-1/4 for synchrotron and SSC processes, respectively, until the time approaches the limiting intrinsic mean time (1+z)Δt/(2), where z is the redshift and is the Doppler factor. This dependence is in accord with recent analyses of blazar and gamma-ray burst (GRB) emissions and suggests a method to discriminate between external Compton and SSC models of high-energy gamma radiation from blazars and GRBs. The qualitative behavior of the X-ray spectral index/flux relation observed from BL Lacertae objects can be explained with this model. This demonstrates that synchrotron losses are primarily responsible for the X-ray variability behavior and strengthens a new test for beaming from correlated hard X-ray/TeV observations.
61 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple model for variability in relativistic plasma outflows is studied, in which nonthermal electrons are continuously and uniformly injected in the comoving frame over a time interval dt.
Abstract: A simple model for variability in relativistic plasma outflows is studied, in which nonthermal electrons are continuously and uniformly injected in the comoving frame over a time interval dt. The evolution of the electron distribution is assumed to be dominated by synchrotron losses, and the energy- and time-dependence of the synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) fluxes are calculated for a power-law electron injection function with index s = 2. The mean time of a flare or pulse measured at photon energy E with respect to the onset of the injection event varies as E^{-1/2} and E^{-1/4} for synchrotron and SSC processes, respectively, until the time approaches the limiting intrinsic mean time (1+z)dt/(2 D), where z is the redshift and D is the Doppler factor. This dependence is in accord with recent analyses of blazar and GRB emissions, and suggests a method to discriminate between external Compton and SSC models of high-energy gamma radiation from blazars and GRBs. The qualititative behavior of the X-ray spectral index/flux relation observed from BL Lac objects can be explained with this model. This demonstrates that synchrotron losses are primarily responsible for the X-ray variability behavior and strengthens a new test for beaming from correlated hard X-ray/TeV observations.
45 citations
TL;DR: In this article, stable beam channeling and electron cavitation occur for relativistic laser intensities even at powers hundreds of times larger than the critical power for self-focusing.
Abstract: An improved cavitation model shows that stable beam channeling and electron cavitation occur for relativistic laser intensities even at powers hundreds of times larger than the critical power for self-focusing.
41 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the evolution of the spectrum of an ultrashort laser pulse in the presence of relativistic plasma waves and introduced a kinetic description of the laser pulse, generalizing the classical concept of the number of photons.
Abstract: We investigate the evolution of the space- and time-dependent spectrum of an ultrashort laser pulse in the presence of relativistic plasma waves. A kinetic description of the laser pulse is introduced, generalizing the classical concept of the number of photons. The propagation equation for the generalized photon density is derived. The spectral deformation induced by a relativistic plasma perturbation in the laser pulse is also calculated. We also propose a new diagnostic technique for the electron density gradient, based on the analysis of the induced chirp in ultrashort laser pulses.
36 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, simultaneous observations in the X-ray, infrared, and radio wavelengths of the galactic superluminal source GRS 1915+105 were reported, during episodes of rapid disappear- ance and follow up replenishment of the inner accretion disk evidenced by the Xray oscillating flux.
Abstract: We report simultaneous observations in the X-ray, infrared, and radio wavelengths of the galactic superluminal source GRS 1915+105. During episodes of rapid disappear- ance and follow up replenishment of the inner accretion disk evidenced by the X-ray oscillating flux, we observe the ejec- tion of relativistic plasma clouds in the form of synchrotron flares at infrared and radio wavelengths. The expelled clouds contain very energetic particles with Lorentz factors of 10 3 , or more. These ejections can be viewed as small-scale analogs of the more massive ejecta with relativistic bulk motions that have been previously observed in GRS 1915+105.
TL;DR: In this article, the Monte Carlo Coulomb model was introduced into a particle simulation code to calculate the collision frequency in the frame work of relativistic electro-dynamics.
Abstract: Relativistic binary collision effects on the intense laser plasma interactions are investigated by introducing the Monte Carlo Coulomb model into a particle simulation code. Our collision model is fully relativistic, where the collision frequency is calculated in the frame work of relativistic electro-dynamics. By the particle simulation, the following two phenomena which are important in laser plasmas are investigated. The first one is for the electron heat transport in a steep temperature gradient and the second is for the electron energy distribution function of plasmas heated by a relativistic intensity laser irradiation. The results of the simulations are compared with the results of numerical analysis of the Fokker-Planck equation.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of analytical studies and computer simulations of electron-ion plasma cloud collisions using 2D3V particle-in-cell and 2D two-fluid collisionless relativistic codes.
Abstract: We present the results of analytical studies and computer simulations of electron-ion plasma cloud collisions using 2D3V particle-in-cell and 2D two-fluid collisionless relativistic codes. We address the problem concerning the generation of a quasistatic magnetic field. Using relativistic two-fluid equations for the two counterstreaming electron populations, we show with the help of linear theory that the generation of a magnetic field can be associated with the “electromagnetic counterstreaming instability”. Two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell provide good agreement with the results of linear theory. We show that the quasistatic magnetic field undergoes a collisionless change of structure, leading to large-scale, long-lived structures. These processes may be important for the understanding of magnetic field generation in laser plasmas and in space plasmas in the regions where two stellar winds collide.
TL;DR: In this article, a kinetic equation for the photon gas in a relativistic plasma, neglecting the ions motion is derived and their main properties are discussed, in order to illustrate the potential use of these equations to the study of new physical phenomena.
Abstract: A kinetic equation for the photon gas in a relativistic plasma, neglecting the ions motion is derived. From this equation the fluid equations for the photon gas are obtained and their main properties are discussed. In order to illustrate the potential use of these equations to the study of new physical phenomena, which eventually can occur in relativistic plasmas, they are applied to three distinct situations. First, it is shown that a photon beam propagating in a plasma can excite a beam–plasma instability, similar to that occurring for the well-known case of electron beams. Second, it is shown that a bunch of photons, moving with constant velocity across a homogeneous plasma, can emit radiation similar to the Cherenkov effect associated with charged particles. Finally, the filamentation instability of a photon beam is discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors derived the nonlinear systems that govern the dynamics of relativistic plasmas close to equipartition, and showed that particle acceleration in a pair plasma is efficient only when the plasma pressure is below the equip-artition value.
Abstract: Relativistic plasmas are interesting media for particle acceleration, especially when their kinetic pressure is in rough equipartition with the magnetic pressure. Indeed, when in rough equipartition, these relativistic plasmas have generalized Alfven waves that propagate at velocities close to the velocity of light, which makes the acceleration process more efficient than usual. With this in mind, we have investigated some properties that are of interest to several issues in high-energy astrophysics, such as the source of high-energy cosmic rays, the origin of the high-energy emission of blazars and microquasars, the synchrotron radiation of jets, and the gamma-ray bursts of cosmic fireballs. Three types of relativistic plasmas are considered: plasma dominated by the relativistic proton component (high-energy cosmic rays), plasma dominated by highly relativistic electrons (the protons being nonrelativistic), and plasma dominated by relativistic electron-positron pairs. Electron or pair-dominated plasmas are interesting on the one hand because of their fast dynamics, and on other hand because the energy of magnetic perturbations goes directly into the radiative particles. The energy transfer from the electromagnetic perturbations to the particles depends on the nonlinear dynamics. We derive the nonlinear systems that govern the dynamics of these relativistic plasmas close to equipartition. We discuss the possibility of self-modulation instability and soliton formation and demonstrate the existence of a transition at equipartition that has remarkable mathematical properties. We show that particle acceleration in a pair plasma is efficient only when the plasma pressure is below the equipartition value. We give intuitive arguments that this would also be true for the other plasmas, but we do not yet have firm proof. Thus, a pair plasma has a regulation mechanism toward equipartition, since radiation cooling is not efficiently balanced above equipartition. This is an interesting issue for nonthermal radio sources. We have also devised a new kind of collisionless quasi-parallel relativistic shock when a relativistic pair cloud pervades an ambient medium. The proton backstream in the relativistic front drives a monochromatic wave responsible for strong nonlinearities that heat the relativistic plasma. The instability is quenched when the relativistic plasma has been sufficiently heated.
TL;DR: The large body of experimental research carried out in relativistic plasma microwave electronics since 1970 up to now is the subject of a review as discussed by the authors, which is the basis for this paper.
Abstract: The presence of plasma affects drastically the operation of microwave devices driven by high-current relativistic electron beams. Loading vacuum microwave oscillators with plasma changes the power and frequency band of the radiation. The Cherenkov plasma maser, that operates only with plasma inside, has both promising advantages and inherent disadvantages comparatively to the vacuum devices. Besides, plasma appears in a relativistic microwave oscillator spontaneously under the influence of high-power microwaves or electron fluxes; this parasitic plasma causes microwave pulse shortening, mainly in devices operating in the microsecond regime. The large body of experimental research carried out in relativistic plasma microwave electronics since 1970 up to now is the subject of this review.
TL;DR: In this paper, a dc-to-ac radiation converter is proposed, where a relativistic ionization front directly converts the static electric field of an array of alternatively biased capacitors into a pulse of tunable radiation.
Abstract: The dc to ac radiation converter is a new device in which a relativistic ionization front directly converts the static electric field of an array of alternatively biased capacitors into a pulse of tunable radiation. In a proof-of-principle experiment frequencies between 6 and 21 GHz were generated with plasma densities in the 1012 cm−3 range and a capacitor period 2d=9.4 cm. In the present experiment, short pulses with frequencies between 39 and 84 GHz are generated in a structure with 2d=2 cm. The frequency spectra of these pulses are measured using a diffraction grating. The spectra are discrete, and their center frequency varies linearly with the gas pressure prior to ionization (or plasma density), as expected from theory. Their relative spectral width is around 18%, consistent with the expected number of cycles (six) contained in the pulses. An upper limit of 750 psec (bandwidth detection limited) is placed on the pulses length. The emitted frequency increases from 53 to 93 GHz when the capacitors ar...
TL;DR: In this article, the dispersion properties of parallel propagating longitudinal and transverse oscillations in isotropic, gyrotropic and uniform magnetized plasmas of arbitrary composition are investigated on the basis of Maxwell equations and the relativistic Vlasov equation.
Abstract: The properties of parallel propagating longitudinal and transverse oscillations in isotropic, gyrotropic, uniform magnetized plasmas of arbitrary composition are investigated on the basis of Maxwell equations and the relativistic Vlasov equation. For equilibrium thermal plasmas the dispersion relations for parallel propagating transverse and longitudinal waves are determined. The relativistically correct solution of the dispersion relation of longitudinal plasma waves in an isotropic equilibrium electron plasma leads to two new effects unknown from the nonrelativistic dispersion theory. First, the number of damped subluminal modes is limited to a few (mode limitation effect), and secondly, for relativistic plasma temperatures the few individual modes complement each other in the sense that the dispersion relations ωR = ωR(k) continuously match each other (mode completion effect). The second effect does not occur at nonrelativistic temperatures.
TL;DR: Chen et al. as discussed by the authors presented a new Lagrangian structure for cold relativistic plasma electrodynamics using the fluid velocity v instead of the canonical-momentum Clebsch potential ψ [X. L. Chen and R. N. Sudan, Phys. B 5, 1336 (1993)].
Abstract: A new Lagrangian structure for cold relativistic plasma electrodynamics is presented. This new formulation uses the fluid velocity v instead of the canonical-momentum Clebsch potential ψ [X. L. Chen and R. N. Sudan, Phys. Fluids B 5, 1336 (1993)]. As a simple application, it is used to derive (through the Noether method) new exact conservation laws associated with nonlinear laser wake-field equations in the multi-dimensional quasi-static approximation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the formation of solitons in a beam plasma system consisting of warm relativistic negative ions is analyzed and the subsequent destruction of the nonlinearity of Korteweg-deVries equation near the critical density of negative ions and evolution of the shock wave are discussed in detail.
Abstract: We have analyzed the formation of solitons in a beam plasma system consisting of warm relativistic negative ions. The subsequent destruction of the nonlinearity of Korteweg-deVries equation near the critical density of negative ions and evolution of the shock wave are discussed in detail. The physical attributes of the ion-acoustic solitary wave and shocks are depicted graphically for the plasmas having (H/sup +/, Cl/sup -/) ions, (H/sup +/, O/sup -/) ions, (H/sup +/, SF/sub 5//sup -/) ions, (He/sup +/, Cl/sup -/) ions. It is found that mass ratio of negative ions and positive ions, relativistic effect and negative ion concentration have important contribution on the formation of solitons and shocks in the plasma.
TL;DR: In this article, the formation of solitons through the pseudopotential approach is studied with respect to the radius of the bounding system, the electron-ion mass ratio, and the streaming velocity u 0.
Abstract: Nonlineaer wave propagation in a relativistic bounded plasma is analysed through the pseudopotential approach by taking into account the streaming of electrons, and electron inertia. The finite geometry is seen to effect both the forward moving and reflected modes of propagation. Its dependence on the electron–ion mass ratio is also critically analysed. In the second part of the paper we study the formation of solitons through the pseudopotential approach. The variation of the form of the pseudopotential is studied with respect to the radius of the bounding system, the electron–ion mass ratio, and the streaming velocity u0. It is observed that the finite geometry and electron inertia significantly affect the solitary wave formation.
TL;DR: In this article, the processes of resonant absorption, vacuum heating, and anomalous skin effect in plasmas produced by a laser pulse are studied using the two-dimensional multi-time-scale, fully electromagnetic relativistic particle simulation code with mobile ions.
Abstract: The processes of resonant absorption, vacuum heating, and anomalous skin effect in plasmas produced by a laser pulse are studied using the two-dimensional multi-time-scale, fully electromagnetic relativistic particle simulation code with mobile ions. The mechanisms of electron heating are expounded and compared.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the propagation and absorption of ordinary waves in fully relativistic plasmas, and found that the cutoff density of ordinary wave increases significantly as the electron temperature increases.
Abstract: The propagation and absorption of ordinary waves in fully relativistic plasma are investigated Several interesting effects introduced by the relativistic mass increase associated with an increase in the electron temperature are examined In particular, it is found that the cutoff density of ordinary waves increases significantly as the electron temperature increases The effects of anomalous wave dispersion, which appear near the fundamental electron cyclotron frequency and its second and third harmonic, are greatest for low temperatures and subsist up to intermediate temperatures ( keV) An efficient damping of ordinary waves is obtained in a wide temperature range The harmonic structure of the absorption profiles and the effects of anomalous dispersion disappear almost simultaneously at high electron temperatures The results obtained may have important implications for the wave absorption and in particular, for emission in relativistic plasmas
TL;DR: In this paper, the cross-field transport coefficients in collision dominant relativistic plasmas have been derived from a relativistically modified kinetic equation by Legendre expansion analysis.
Abstract: The cross-field transport coefficients in collision dominant relativistic plasmas have been derived from a relativistically modified kinetic equation by Legendre expansion analysis. The collision integrals, which include the cross section of relativistic Rutherford scattering, are integrated by using the relativistic Maxwell distribution for electrons. The thermal and electrical conductivities, the Peltier, Nernst, Hall, and Leduc-Righi coefficients are obtained for relativistic plasmas. Resistive magnetic field equations consistently coupled with magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) and kinetic equations are derived. The set of equations can be included in the simulation code which describes magneto-hydrodynamics of plasmas with relativistic energy electrons. The energy relaxation of relativistic electrons and ions in dense plasmas and the properties of nonlinear heat wave propagation in the ultra-relativistic temperature are also investigated. It is found that the ion heating rate is significantly enhanced by the...
TL;DR: This work reviews the recent work on the experimental observations of electron acceleration driven by laser-wakefield generation, relativistic self-focusing, waveguide formation and laser self-channeling.
Abstract: We review our recent work on the various nonlinear optical processes that occur as an intense laser propagates through a relativistic plasma. These include the experimental observations of electron acceleration driven by laser-wakefield generation, relativistic self-focusing, waveguide formation and laser self-channeling.
TL;DR: The relativistically correct solution of the dispersion relation of linear plasma waves in an isotropic unmagnetized equilibrium electron plasma leads to two new effects unknown from the non-relativistic dispersion theory.
Abstract: The relativistically correct solution of the dispersion relation of linear plasma waves in an isotropic unmagnetized equilibrium electron plasma leads to two new effects unknown from the nonrelativistic dispersion theory. First, the number of damped subluminal modes is limited to a few (mode-limitation effect); secondly, for relativistic plasma temperatures the few individual modes complement each other in the sense that the dispersion relations ωR = ωR(k) continuously match each other (mode-completion effect). The second effect does not occur at nonrelativistic temperatures.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of anomalous wave dispersion near the fundamental and second harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency is also present at oblique wave propagation in thermal relativistic plasma.
Abstract: Ordinary waves propagating at an arbitrary angle to the steady magnetic field in thermal relativistic plasma are investigated. It is concluded that at oblique propagation, the wave propagation and absorption features are similar to those which characterize the perpendicular propagation of the ordinary wave. In particular, it is found that in a wide -range the increase of the electron temperature leads to an important shift of the location of the plasma cut-off density towards high values. The effect of anomalous wave dispersion near the fundamental and second harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency is also present at oblique wave propagation. It disappears gradually in the high-temperature, fully relativistic domain. Efficient damping of the ordinary waves is obtained. It increases with electron density up to a broad maximum which occurs at relatively high densities.
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: In this paper, the flux variations of a relativistic plasma jet highy collimated toward the observer are investigated in the optical band of a radio-selected blazars.
Abstract: Like many radio-selected blazars, 0716+714 shows a high level of variability on different time scales, as short as a few days (e.g. Wagner et al 1996, Ghisellini et al. 1997). The mechanism of the emission in the optical band, in the general scheme of a relativistic plasma jet highy collimated toward the observer, is generally believed to be synchrotron radiation from electrons in a strong magnetic field. Our monitoring of S5 0716+714 is aimed to clarify whether the flux variations are chromatic or achromatic. In the first case, one could guess that variations in the spectrum of the injected electrons are responsible for the flux variations; in the second case, geometrical effects like small changes in the angle between the jet and the line of sight could be more likely (Wagner et al. 1993).
20 Feb 1998
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of large quasi-stationary magnetic fields in plasmas by high-intensity laser pulses were discussed in the relativistic pulse amplitude regime, and the formation of magnetic wakes, the development of longitudinal and transverse Langmuir wake wavebreaks and the magnetic field generation on a thin foil was considered.
Abstract: Extremely large, quasi-stationary magnetic fields can be generated in plasmas by high intensity laser pulses. These fields can change the plasma dynamics and the pulse propagation. Several aspects of their generation and of their effect on the plasma and on the laser pulse are discussed in the relativistic pulse amplitude regime: (a) the formation of magnetic wakes, (b) the development of longitudinal and transverse Langmuir wake wavebreaks and (c) the magnetic field generation on a thin foil, viewed as a model for overdense plasmas with sharp boundaries.