  Photon bursts with a wavelength smaller than the plasma inter-particle
distance can drive plasma wakes via Compton scattering. We investigate this
fundamental process analytically and numerically for different photon
frequencies, photon flux, and plasma magnetization. Our results show that
Langmuir and extraordinary modes are driven efficiently when the photon energy
density lies above a certain threshold. The interaction of photon bursts with
magnetized plasmas is of distinguished interest as the generated extraordinary
modes can convert into pure electromagnetic waves at the plasma/vacuum
boundary. This could possibly be a mechanism for the generation of radio waves
in astrophysical scenarios in the presence of intense sources of high energy
photons.
