Effects of the electron spin on the nonlinear generation of quasi-static magnetic fields in a plasma

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electron spin influences the nonlinear creation of quasi-static magnetic fields in plasma, revealing that spin effects can be significant even when classical effects dominate.

Contribution

It introduces an extended kinetic model that incorporates electron spin effects into the analysis of magnetic field generation in plasma.

Findings

Electron spin can significantly contribute to magnetic field generation.

Classical effects dominate the nonlinear current in typical plasma conditions.

Spin effects are relevant in moderate density and temperature plasmas.

Abstract

Through an extended kinetic model, we study the nonlinear generation of quasi-static magnetic fields by high-frequency fields in a plasma, taking into account the effects of the electron spin. It is found that although the largest part of the nonlinear current in a moderate density, moderate temperature plasma is due to the classical terms, the spin may still give a significant contribution to the magnetic field generation mechanism. Applications of our results are discussed.