Alternative Mechanism for ω0/2 Emission in Laser-Produced Plasmas

Several models have been proposed to explain the broad spectral features characteristic of ω₀/2 emission observed in laser-produced plasmas. In this article, the electromagnetic decay instability is examined as an alternative explanation for this emission. It is shown that the electromagnetic decay instability is able to explain some of the spectral features observed from laser-produced plasmas. In addition, the electromagnetic decay instability is consistent with two other features observed in experiments: the efficient generation of electromagnetic energy and the discrepancy in the levels of emission between the ω₀/2 emission and the 3ω₀/2 emission.