Measuring magnetic flux suppression in high-power laser-plasma interactions

ORAL

Abstract

Experiments performed with the OMEGA EP laser are used to measure Biermann battery magnetic field generation driven by high power laser-solid interactions. Proton deflectometry observes changes to the strength, spatial profile, and temporal dynamics of the self-generated magnetic fields. By varying the target material or laser intensity, measurements of the magnetic flux during the interaction are used to help validate extended magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations using the code GORGON. Comparison of the experimental and simulation results suggest that kinetic effects cause suppression of the Biermann battery mechanism in laser-plasma interactions. Counter to a standard MHD understanding, the experiments generated more magnetic flux as the target atomic number is increased. These results are relevant to both direct and indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion.

*This work is supported by the DOE, NNSA (DE-NA0003606, DE-NA0003764 and DE-AC52-07NA27344). PTC is supported by the U.S. DOE FES Postdoctoral Research Program (DE-SC0014664). BKR acknowledges support from NSF (1751462).

–

Publication: P.~T. Campbell, et al, Physical Review Letters, 125, 145001 (2020).
P.~T. Campbell, et al, "Measuring magnetic flux suppression in high-power laser-plasma interactions", submitted (2021).

Presenters

  • Louise Willingale

    • University of Michigan

Authors

  • Louise Willingale

    • University of Michigan

  • Paul T Campbell

    • University of Michigan

  • Chris A Walsh

    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
    • Lawrence Livermore Natl Lab
    • Lawrence Livermore National Lab

  • Brandon K Russell

    • University of Michigan

  • Gennady Fiksel

    • University of Michigan

  • Alexander G Thomas

    • University of Michigan
    • University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

  • Karl M Krushelnick

    • University of Michigan
    • Center for Ultra-Fast Optics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
    • University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
    • Gérard Mourou Center for Ultrafast Optical Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA

  • Jeremy P Chittenden

    • Imperial College London

  • Aidan C Crilly

    • Imperial College London
    • CIFS, The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London

  • Lan Gao

    • Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
    • PPPL
    • Princeton University

  • Igor V Igumenshchev

    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
    • Lab for Laser Energetics
    • University of Rochester
    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester

  • Philip M Nilson

    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester
    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
    • University of Rochester
    • Lab for Laser Energetics