Alternative mechanism for omega(0)/2 emission in laser-produced plasmas

Several models have been proposed to explain the broad spectral features ch aracteristic of omega (0)/2 emission observed in laser-produced plasmas. In this article, the electromagnetic decay instability is examined as an alte rnative explanation for this emission. It is shown that the electromagnetic decay instability is able to explain some of the spectral features observe d from laser-produced plasmas. In addition, the electromagnetic decay insta bility is consistent with two other features observed in experiments: the e fficient generation of electromagnetic energy :md the discrepancy in the le vels of emission between the omega (0)/2 emission and the 3 omega (0)/2 emi ssion.