Anomalous transmission of an intense short-pulse laser through a magnetized overdense plasma

A short-pulse laser having Gaussian radial intensity distribution and incident normally on a magnetized overdense plasma slab undergoes anomalous transmission. The laser induces a large oscillatory velocity on electrons, raising their mass and lowering the plasma frequency. The cyclotron resonance enhances this effect. Moreover, the ponderomotive force-driven electron cavitation lowers the plasma frequency further. These effects are most pronounced near the laser axis; hence, the central portion of the beam tunnels through the magnetized plasma slab, while marginal rays suffer reflection. The output beam thus has a smaller spot size. It also possesses a curvature in the wavefront that may help diagnostics.