Self-trapping of strong electromagnetic beams in relativistic plasmas

Interaction of an intense electromagnetic (EM) beam with hot relativistic plasma is investigated. It is shown that the thermal pressure brings about a fundamental change in the dynamics - localized, high amplitude, EM field structures, not accessible to a cold (but relativisic) plasma, can now be formed under well- defined conditions. Examples of the trapping of EM beams in self-guiding regimes to form stable 2D solitonic structures in a pure e-p plasma are worked out.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

Localized structures of electromagnetic waves in hot electron-positronplasmas

The dynamics of relativistically strong electromagnetic (EM) wave propagation in hot electron-positron plasma is investigated. The possibility of finding localized stationary structures of EM waves is explored. It is shown that under certain conditions the EM wave forms a stable localized soliton-like structures where plasma is completely expelled from the region of EM field location.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX, 1 figure can be obtained upon request through email to [email protected]

Pulsars as Fantastic Objects and Probes

Pulsars are fantastic objects, which show the extreme states of matters and plasma physics not understood yet. Pulsars can be used as probes for the detection of interstellar medium and even the gravitational waves. Here I review the basic facts of pulsars which should attract students to choose pulsar studies as their future projects.Comment: Invited Lecture on the "First Kodai-Trieste Workshop on Plasma Astrophysics", Kodaikanal Obs, India. Aug.27-Sept.7th, 2007. In: "Turbulence, Dynamos, Accretion Disks, Pulsars and Collective Plasma Processes". Get a copy from: http://www.springerlink.com/content/978-1-4020-8867-