Parametric Interaction of High-Power Laser Radiation with Plasma in a Strong Magnetic Field

Abstract—: The article deals with interaction of an extraordinary laser wave of high amplitude with inhomogeneous plasma in a strong magnetic field in the vicinity of twice the upper-hybrid frequency. The analysis is carried out by means of numerical simulation based on the particle-in-cell (PIC) method. It is demonstrated that in this case, parametric resonance leads to a substantial heating of electrons. The results of analysis of spectra of the longitudinal field suggest that this kind of heating occurs due to nonlinear interaction of the upper-hybrid plasmons driven by the laser wave with electrostatic modes similar to the Bernstein ones in the linear approximation. The dependence of average energy of electrons gained in the course of heating on their initial temperature is investigated. © 2020, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.