Magnetically induced optical transparency of overdense plasmas due to ultrafast ionization

Laser light can propagate through an overdense magnetized plasma a's an extraordinary mode. The required stationary magnetic field may be supplied by ultrafast ionization of the medium [Phys. Rev. Lett. 61, 337 (1988)]. The implications of this process on the interpretation of recent unexpected results [Phys. Rev. Lett: 79, 3194 (1997)] in terms of extraordinary mode propagation, is briefly discussed. This physical mechanism opens new and exciting perspectives in high-intensity femtosecond :interaction studies and related applications.