Exploring Astrophysically Relevant Bow Shocks Using MIFEDS and the OMEGA Laser

We present current experiments using the Omega Laser Facility and their magneto-inertial fusion electrical discharge system (MIFEDS) to observe the effect of magnetic pressure on bow shock dynamics in an astrophysically relevant regime. Astrophysical bow shocks are an interesting phenomenon in which a shock forms when incident supersonic flow encounters a sufficiently magnetized medium surrounding an object. The most well-known example of this phenomena is the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetic field, which creates our magnetosphere. In our experiment the magnetosphere will be emulated by a current flowing through a curved wire to create an azimuthal magnetic field. To create the analogous solar wind, lasers rear-irradiate two opposing graphite targets so the plasma outflows collide and then expand along the collision plane toward the magnetized wires. We use the UV Thomson scattering diagnostic technique to determine plasma parameters along with optical imaging and proton radiography to characterize the plasma flow and the bow shock that forms.