Measurements of extended magnetic fields in laser-solid interaction

Griff-McMahon, J. (ORCID:0000000207740613); Malko, S. (ORCID:0000000310411092); Valenzuela-Villaseca, V. (ORCID:0000000167721441); Walsh, C. A.; Fiksel, G. (ORCID:0000000194860885); Rosenberg, M. J.; Schaeffer, D. B. (ORCID:0000000316755910); Fox, W. (ORCID:000000016289858X)

doi:10.1103/physrevresearch.6.033312

DOE OSTI · 2446739

Measurements of extended magnetic fields in laser-solid interaction

Griff-McMahon, J. (ORCID:0000000207740613)·Malko, S. (ORCID:0000000310411092)·Valenzuela-Villaseca, V. (ORCID:0000000167721441)·Walsh, C. A.·Fiksel, G. (ORCID:0000000194860885)·Rosenberg, M. J.·Schaeffer, D. B. (ORCID:0000000316755910)·Fox, W. (ORCID:000000016289858X)

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Abstract

Magnetic fields generated from a laser-foil interaction are measured with high fidelity using a proton radiography scheme with x-ray fiducials. In contrast to prior findings under similar experimental conditions, this technique reveals the self-generated, Biermann-battery fields extend beyond the edge of the expanding plasma plume to a radius of over 3.5 mm by t = + 1.4 ns. An analysis of two monoenergetic proton populations confirms that proton deflection is dominated by magnetic fields far from the interaction ( > 2 mm) and electric fields are insignificant. The results are not captured in state-of-the-art magnetohydrodynamics simulations and suggest the need to consider additional physics mechanisms for the magnetic field generation and transport in laser-solid interactions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

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70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY 79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS High intensity laser-plasma interactions Laser-induced magnetic fields in plasmas Magnetic field generation & plasma dynamo

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Griff-McMahon, J. (ORCID:0000000207740613), Malko, S. (ORCID:0000000310411092), Valenzuela-Villaseca, V. (ORCID:0000000167721441), Walsh, C. A., Fiksel, G. (ORCID:0000000194860885), Rosenberg, M. J., Schaeffer, D. B. (ORCID:0000000316755910), Fox, W. (ORCID:000000016289858X). 2024-09-18. Measurements of extended magnetic fields in laser-solid interaction. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevresearch.6.033312

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