Model of the influence of magnetic fields on a plasma electrode Pockels cell

We describe a model which gives the effects of magnetic fields on a plasma electrode Pockels cell. The fields arise from the return currents to the cathode as well as from neighboring devices such as amplifier flashlamps. In effect, electrons are treated as a static, planar fluid moving under the influence of magnetic fields, the electric field of the discharge, electron pressure gradients, and electron-atom elastic collisions. This leads to a closed 2D equation for the electron density, which is solved subject to appropriate boundary collisions. The model is applied to four cases: the baseline NIF configuration with magnetic fields due to balanced return currents; a case with unbalanced return currents; the reverser configuration containing an external field parallel to the main plasma current; and a configuration with a field perpendicular to both the current and the optical direction.