Enhanced X-ray emission arising from laser-plasma confinement by a strong transverse magnetic field

Abstract

We analyze, using experiments and 3D MHD numerical simulations, the dynamic and radiative properties of a plasma ablated by a laser (1 ns, 10$$^{12}$$ 12 –10$$^{13}$$ 13 W/cm$$^2$$ 2 ) from a solid target as it expands into a homogeneous, strong magnetic field (up to 30 T) that is transverse to its main expansion axis. We find that as early as 2 ns after the start of the expansion, the plasma becomes constrained by the magnetic field. As the magnetic field strength is increased, more plasma is confined close to the target and is heated by magnetic compression. We also observe that after $$\sim 8$$ ∼ 8 ns, the plasma is being overall shaped in a slab, with the plasma being compressed perpendicularly to the magnetic field, and being extended along the magnetic field direction. This dense slab rapidly expands into vacuum; however, it contains only $$\sim 2\%$$ ∼ 2 % of the total plasma. As a result of the higher density and increased heating of the plasma confined against the laser-irradiated solid target, there is a net enhancement of the total X-ray emissivity induced by the magnetization.

Laser-generated supersonic plasma jets and shocks in a transverse magnetic field

“…These observations are supported by numerical simulations of the jet (see section 6), which show the formation of a cavity surrounded by an enhanced magnetic field. It is also in agreement with experiments studying the simpler case of a spherical/semi-spherical laser ablated plasma expanding into a transverse magnetic field [6,[9][10][11]14]. While the jets observed in this experiment differ in that they are created independently of the magnetic field, the peripheral plasma exhibits comparable structures.…”

“…Laboratory jets and shocks are studied through a number of different approaches, such as using high-current Z-pinch facilities [3,4], plasma guns [5,6], high power lasers combined with complex target configurations [7,8], as well as through the interaction of a spherically expanding laser-generated plasma with an externally applied magnetic field [9][10][11][12][13][14].…”

Characterization of the stability and dynamics of a laser-produced plasma expanding across strong magnetic field

“…We simulate the typical laser conditions of experiments performed on ELFIE laser 4,9,12,29 . The schematic of the simulation setup is shown in Fig.…”

“…Thanks to the development of high-power lasers coupled to high-strength magnetic fields devices 2,3 , we are now able to investigate the interaction between plasma and strong magnetic field in the laboratory in a controllable and well diagnosed environment [4][5][6] . In addition, in the field of inertial confinement fusion (ICF), there is increasing need for a detailed understanding of plasma dynamics in the presence of strong magnetic fields [7][8][9] , e.g. for cross-magnetic-field transport processes 10 .…”

Upgraded pulsed magnetic field generator for Shenguang-II laser facility toward 30 T

“…There has been increasing interest in magnetized laser plasma recently. Significant achievements have been made in the fields of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9], laboratory astrophysics [10][11][12][13][14][15][16], magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) research [17][18][19][20][21], particle guiding and acceleration [22][23][24], industrial applications [25][26][27][28][29], etc.…”