Magnetic Field Generation Due to Radiation Pressure in a Laser-Produced Plasma

摘要

Magnetic field generation, according to Faraday's Law, requires a solenoidal electric field. Solenoidal electric fields associated with the large pressure and temperature gradients existing in laser-produced plasmas have previously accounted for the conversion of plasma thermal energy into magnetic field energy. It is shown that, in addition to these thermal sources, radiation pressure gradients produce a solenoidal electric field and thus provide a non-thermal (not dependent on plasma heating) source so that there is a direct conversion of laser radiation energy to magnetic field energy. This also implies a non-thermal (no plasma heating) absorption of laser radiation. (Author)