Dynamics of magnetic fields in high-energy-density plasmas for fusion and astrophysics

An overview of our recent experimental and theoretical work on the dynamics of magnetic fields in high-energy-density plasmas will be presented. This includes: (1) precision mapping of the self-generated magnetic fields in the coronal plasma and the Nernst effect on their evolution [1], (2) characterizing the strong magnetic field generated by a laser-driven capacitor-coil target using ultrafast proton radiography [2], and (3) creating MHD turbulence in Rayleigh-Taylor unstable plasmas. The experimental results are compared with resistive MHD simulations providing a stringent test for their predictions. Applications in relevance to ignition target designs in inertial confinement fusion, material strength studies in high-energy-density physics, and astrophysical systems such as plasma dynamos and magnetic reconnection will be discussed. Future experiments proposed on the National Ignition Facility will be described.\\[4pt] [1] L. Gao et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 215003 (2015).\\[0pt] [2] L. Gao et al., submitted.