The ponderomotive force in an overdense, absorbing, dispersive plasma, caused by an intense laser–matter interaction

The ponderomotive force acting on an overdense, absorbing plasma with nonlocal electric properties is calculated from first principles. On the basis of the space–time dependence of the electric field and the electron distribution function which were calculated self‐consistently, the conductivity, current, and force in the plasma are calculated. The possibility of acceleration of ions by an intense laser beam is demonstrated and the proper conditions for this to occur are pointed out.