Proton deflectometry of a magnetic reconnection geometry

Willingale, L.; Nilson, P.M.; Kaluza, Malte C.; Dangor, A. E.; Evans, R. G.; Fernandes, P. A.; Haines, M. G.; Kamperidis, C.; Kingham, R. J.; Ridgers, C. P.; Sherlock, M.; Thomas, Alexander; Wei, M. S.; Najmudin, Z.; Krushelnick, K.; Bandyopadhyay, S.; Notley, M.; Minardi, Stefano; Tatarakis, M.; Rozmus, W.

doi:10.1063/1.3377787

Cited by 78 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Magnetic field generation via the Biermann battery term has been investigated before in various laser-plasma experiments [6,7,8]. In these studies, hot electron transport (e.g.…”

Section: Numerical Simulationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Creation of magnetized jet using a ring of laser beams

Liang

Tzeferacos

et al. 2015

High Energy Density Physics

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We propose a new way of generating magnetized supersonic jets using a ring laser to irradiate a flat surface target. Using 2D FLASH code simulations which include the Biermann Battery term, we demonstrate that strong toroidal fields can be generated and sustained downstream in the collimated jet outflow far from the target surface. The field strength can be controlled by varying the ring laser separation, thereby providing a versatile laboratory platform for studying the effects of magnetic field in a variety of astrophysical settings.

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“…Magnetic field generation via the Biermann battery term has been investigated before in various laser-plasma experiments [6,7,8]. In these studies, hot electron transport (e.g.…”

Section: Numerical Simulationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Creation of magnetized jet using a ring of laser beams

Liang

Tzeferacos

et al. 2015

High Energy Density Physics

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“…Ion acceleration by intense ultrashort laser pulses has led to many original applications such as triggering of nuclear reactions [1,2]; research of warm dense matter [3]; laboratory astrophysics [4]; radiography [5][6][7]; fast ignition [8]; and hadron therapy [9]. Both experiments [10,11] and simulations [12] have demonstrated an increase of ion energy with a corresponding reduction of the target thickness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ion energy scaling under optimum conditions of laser plasma acceleration from solid density targets

Brantov

Govras

Bychenkov

et al. 2015

Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams

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A new, maximum proton energy, ε, scaling law with the laser pulse energy, E L , has been derived for solid density foils from the results of 3D particle-in-cell simulations. Utilizing numerical modeling, protons are accelerated during interactions of the femtosecond relativistic laser pulses with the plain semitransparent targets of optimum thickness. The scaling, ε ∼ E 0.7 L , has been obtained for the wide range of laser energies, different spot sizes, and laser pulse durations. Our results show that the proper selection of foil target optimum thicknesses results in a very promising increase of the proton energy with the laser intensity even in the range of parameters below the radiation pressure (light sail) regime. The proposed analytical model is consistent with numerical simulations.

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“…Under such conditions, magnetic reconnection of field lines may be expected to arise. Magnetic reconnection has been intensely studied in space plasmas, but more recently, laser inertial fusion relevant scenarios have been investigated [16][17][18].In Sweet-Parker theory, a resistive region between plasma inflows with resistivity η allows magnetic field lines to diffuse and change topology, leading to jets outflowing at Alfvènic speeds, v A [19,20]. However, observed reconnection rates are rarely well described by this model.…”

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Magnetic Reconnection in Plasma under Inertial Confinement Fusion Conditions Driven by Heat Flux Effects in Ohm’s Law

et al. 2014

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In the interaction of high-power laser beams with solid density plasma there are a number of mechanisms that generate strong magnetic fields. Such fields subsequently inhibit or redirect electron flows, but can themselves be advected by heat fluxes, resulting in complex interplay between thermal transport and magnetic fields. We show that for heating by multiple laser spots reconnection of magnetic field lines can occur, mediated by these heat fluxes, using a fully implicit 2D VlasovFokker-Planck code. Under such conditions, the reconnection rate is dictated by heat flows rather than Alfvènic flows. We find that this mechanism is only relevant in a high β plasma. However, the Hall parameter ωcτei can be large so that thermal transport is strongly modified by these magnetic fields, which can impact longer time scale temperature homogeneity and ion dynamics in the system. Understanding the O 10 2T magnetic fields that can develop in high-power-laser interactions with soliddensity plasma [1][2][3][4][5] is important because such fields significantly modify both the magnitude and direction of electron heat fluxes [6]. The dynamics of such fields evidently has consequences for inertial fusion energy applications [7][8][9], as the coupling of the laser beams with the walls or pellet and the development of temperature inhomogeneities are critical to the uniformity of the implosion. There is a significant interplay between heat fluxes and magnetic fields: in semi-collisional plasmas heat flux can be the dominant mechanism for transporting magnetic fields in addition to currents or bulk ion flow [10]. This effect, arising due to an electric field analogous to the Nernst-Ettingshausen effect in metals [11], has been shown to be significant in laser heated plasma [12][13][14]. The Nernst effect in plasma [10] arises as a consequence of the velocity dependent collision frequency of electrons in plasma. Since the faster, "hot", population of electrons are essentially collisionless, the magnetic field is "frozen" to them, whereas the collisional, "cold", portion of the distribution function is able to diffuse across field lines. Hence, magnetic fields can be advected with close to zero net current by "hot" electrons.In heating plasma with a finite laser spot, an azimuthal magnetic field about the heated region arises through the Biermann battery effect [15]. For multiple spots in close proximity, as in inertial fusion, these magnetic fields will be in a configuration with oppositely directed field lines. Under such conditions, magnetic reconnection of field lines may be expected to arise. Magnetic reconnection has been intensely studied in space plasmas, but more recently, laser inertial fusion relevant scenarios have been investigated [16][17][18].In Sweet-Parker theory, a resistive region between plasma inflows with resistivity η allows magnetic field lines to diffuse and change topology, leading to jets outflowing at Alfvènic speeds, v A [19,20]. However, observed reconnection rates are rarely well described by this model....

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Proton deflectometry of a magnetic reconnection geometry

Cited by 78 publications

References 39 publications

Creation of magnetized jet using a ring of laser beams

Creation of magnetized jet using a ring of laser beams

Ion energy scaling under optimum conditions of laser plasma acceleration from solid density targets

Magnetic Reconnection in Plasma under Inertial Confinement Fusion Conditions Driven by Heat Flux Effects in Ohm’s Law

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