Laser propagation in dense magnetized plasma

Luan, S. X. and Yu, W. and Li, F. Y. and Wu, D. and Sheng, Z. M. and Yu, M.Y. and Zhang, J. (2016) Laser propagation in dense magnetized plasma. Physical Review E, 94 (5). pp. 1-13. 053207. ISSN 2470-0053 (https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.94.053207)

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Abstract

A right-hand circularly polarized electromagnetic wave can propagate in a sufficiently magnetized plasma of any density without cutoff in the so-called whistler mode. With the recent realization of tens-kilotesla magnetic fields, laser propagation in highly magnetized high-density plasmas has become of practical interest, especially for heating plasmas to high energy density and igniting fusion targets. In this paper, the whistler regime of laser-plasma interaction is discussed. It is shown that moderately intense right-hand circularly polarized laser light can enter and propagate in high-density plasma and heat it efficiently because of the significantly reduced wave length and speed.