Detailed benchmarking of the Nernst effect in magnetized HED plasma

The Nernst effect plays a dominant role in the magnetic flux transport in magnetized high energy density plasma with high β and large temperature gradients relevant in laboratory astrophysics and magneto-inertial fusion applications, particularly in MagLIF preheat. The detailed experimental benchmarking of the numerical models that include Nernst effect are crucial and required for understanding how to control the magnetized plasma systems.



Here we report on a new experimental platform at OMEGA to benchmark Nernst effect in low and moderately magnetized plasma (1<Ne<10) by simultaneous direct measurement of Nernst velocity and plasma conditions. The laser produced gas jet plasma is magnetized by MIFEDS, where the Nernst velocity is measured using proton radiography [1,2] of magnetic fields at different times, while the plasma parameters (ne,Te) and radial bulk flow speed of plasma is measured by 2w optical Thompson scattering (OTS), probing different locations in plasma. The results are being compared with MHD Gorgon 1D and LILAC simulations.



[1] C. Johnson, S. Malko, W. Fox, D. Schaeffer et al. Review of Scientific Instruments 83 (2021)

[2] S. Malko, C. Johnson, W. Fox, D. Schaeffer et al. , Applied Optics 61(6) (2021).