Self-generated magnetic fields in plasmas

The generation of magnetic fields by currents driven by the electron pressure gradient in non-uniform plasmas is considered. The equations for field generation and energy balance are derived under the MHD approximation. It is shown that there exists a class of waves, thermal magnetic waves, which propagate along surfaces of constant density. The properties of such waves are examined. In addition, a class of self-similar solutions are presented. These represent an unstable growth of magnetic field in localized plasma regions, i.e. magnetic hot spots. (author)