MAGNETICALLY INDUCED OPTICAL TRANSPARENCY OF OVERDENSE PLASMAS DUE TOULTRAFAST IONIZATION

Laser light can propagate through an overdense magnetized plasma a's a n extraordinary mode. The required stationary magnetic field may be su pplied by ultrafast ionization of the medium [Phys. Rev. Lett. 61, 337 (1988)]. The implications of this process on the interpretation of re cent unexpected results [Phys. Rev. Lett: 79, 3194 (1997)] in terms of extraordinary mode propagation, is briefly discussed. This physical m echanism opens new and exciting perspectives in high-intensity femtose cond :interaction studies and related applications.