Hydrodynamic Analysis of the High Electrc Fields and Double Layers in Expanding Inhomogeneous Plasmas

A genuine two-fluid model of plasmas with collisions permits the calculation of dynamic electric fields and double layers inside of plasmas including oscillations and damping. For the first time, a macroscopic model for coupling of electromagnetic and Langmuir waves was achieved with realistic damping. Starting points were laser-produced plasmas showing very high dynamic electric fields in nonlinear force-produced cavitons and inverted layers, in agreement with experiments. Applications for any inhomogeneous plasma as in laboratory or in astrophysical plasmas can then be followed up by a transparent hydrodynamic description. We find the rotation of plasmas in magnetic fields and a new second harmonic resonance. Explanation of inverted double layers, second harmonic emission from laser-produced plasmas, and laser acceleration of charged particles by the very high fields of the double layers is given.