ANTHEM simulation of hot electron transport from a bright source laser

Summary form only given, as follows. The ANTHEM 2D implicit plasma simulation model has been used to examine the hot electron transport and self magnetic fields produced by short-pulse (1-ps) high-intensity lasers. Preliminary calculations have manifested conventional thermoelectric fields at intensities approaching 40 MG for 10/sup 19/ W/cm/sup 2/ illumination. These fields are both weaker than and of opposite polarity from those calculated in recent particle-in-cell simulations. The sensitivity of these results to boundary conditions, fluid vs. particle modeling, emission directivity, and ponderomotive force in the implicit simulations has been considered. The electron spectrum far from the target has been characterized, and targets configured to optimize the magnetic field generation have been examined.