Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 June 2002
The generation of magnetic fields due to ponderomotive forces in astrophysical plasma consisting of electrons, ions and positrons is investigated theoretically. It is seen that collisional or non-collisional interactions (between electromagnetic waves and plasma particles) via ponderomotive forces in an inhomogeneous plasma can excite a magnetic field. The growth rate of the magnetic field is illustrated graphically for different values of the temperature and concentration of positrons in the plasma.