Launching Magnetized Warm Dense Matter Experiments

ORAL  · Invited

Abstract

An approach to laser-driven magnetic flux compression is presented for studying magnetized high-energy-density (HED) matter, specifically magnetized warm dense matter (WDM). While this setup shares components with magnetized hohlraum implosions1,2,3, the laser beams are reoriented to ablate the inner surface of a cylindrical target rather than the outer surface4. This method, already demonstrated to produce kilotesla-scale magnetic fields in experiments5,6, could serve as a dedicated platform for magnetized WDM studies7. By leveraging the cylindrical convergence of a high-temperature, low-density plasma, magnetic fields exceeding 1 kT can be generated in an open geometry—crucial for both the creation8 and diagnosis of magnetized WDM samples. Additionally, targeting the inner surface allows the field-generating coil to be positioned closer to the target, strengthening the initial magnetic field. MHD simulations in PERSEUS9 suggest that this approach enables controlled magnetized WDM experiments, providing new insights into the role of strong magnetic fields in extreme states of matter, which is of interest to both the fusion and astrophysics communities. Our 1D simulations explore Ohmic heating of the sample as a means to create the WDM state without a laser driver. Together, this approach could offer a novel and simplified pathway to realizing magnetized WDM experiments for the first time, with potential for broader application in magnetized HED studies.



1 O. V. Gotchev et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 215004 (2009).

2 J. P. Knauer et al., Phys. Plasmas 17, 056318 (2010).

3 M. Hohenberger et al., Phys. Plasmas 19, 056306 (2012).

4 D. J. Strozzi et al., Phys. Plasmas 31, 092703 (2024).

5 J. D. Moody et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 129, 195002 (2022).

6 H. Sio et al., Phys. Plasmas 30, 072709 (2023).

7 I. N. Erez et al., Phys. Plasmas 32, 042511 (2025).

8 J. Meyer-ter-Vehn and R. Ramis, Phys. Plasmas 26, 113301 (2019).

9 C. E. Seyler and M. R. Martin, Phys. Plasmas 18, 012703; 039901(E) (2011).

*This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy [National Nuclear Security Administration] University of Rochester "National Inertial Confinement Fusion Program" under Award Number(s) DE-NA0004144, Horton Fellowship, and NSF grant number PHY-2020249.

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Publication: I. N. Erez, J. R. Davies, J. L. Peebles, R. Betti, and P.-A. Gourdain, "Generation of strong fields with subcritical density plasmas to study the phase transitions of magnetized warm dense matter," Phys. Plasmas 32, 042511 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0198340

Presenters

  • Irem Nesli Erez

    • Plasma Quantum Group & University of Colorado Boulder

Authors

  • Irem Nesli Erez

    • Plasma Quantum Group & University of Colorado Boulder

  • Jonathan R Davies

    • University of Rochester

  • Jonathan L Peebles

    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE)

  • Peter V Heuer

    • University of Rochester
    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE)

  • Daniel H Barnak

    • University of Rochester

  • Fernando Garcia Rubio

    • Pacific Fusion Corporation
    • Pacific Fusion

  • Riccardo Betti

    • University of Rochester

  • Gilbert W Collins

    • University of Rochester
    • Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States

  • Yuan Shi

    • University of Colorado Boulder

  • Pierre-Alexandre Gourdain

    • University of Rochester