  We present for the first time kinetic 2D Vlasov-Fokker-Planck simulations,
including both self-consistent magnetic fields and ablating ion outflow, of a
planar ablating foil subject to nonuniform laser irradiation. Even for small
hall parameters ($\omega \tau_{ei} \lesssim 0.05$) self-generated magnetic
fields are sufficient to invert and enhance pressure perturbations. The mode
inversion is caused by a combination of the Nernst advection of the magnetic
field and the Righi-Leduc heat-flux. Non-local effects modify these processes.
The mechanism is robust under plasma conditions tested; it is amplitude
independent and occurs for a broad spectrum of perturbation wavelengths,
$\lambda_p = 10-100\,$\mu m$. The ablating plasma response to a dynamically
evolving speckle pattern perturbation, analogous to an optically smoothed beam,
is also simulated. Similar to the single mode case, self-generated magnetic
fields increase the degree of nonuniformity at the ablation surface by up to an
order of magnitude and are found to preferentially enhance lower modes due to
the resistive damping of high mode number magnetic fields.

Plasma Physics