Double-Diffusion Hot-Electron Transport in Self-ConsistentEandBFields

Abstract

A two-component, flux-limited diffusion model is introduced for the self-consistent transport of hot electrons in laser-produced plasmas. Megagauss fields from the $\ensuremath{\nabla}{n}_{h}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\ensuremath{\nabla}{n}_{c}$ source are predicted for $I{\ensuremath{\lambda}}^{2}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{16}$ W \ensuremath{\mu}${\mathrm{m}}^{2}$/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. For low-$Z$ target materials a prompt back-side $B$ field is a signature for hot electrons reaching the back of thin foils.