Megagauss magnetic fields in ultra-intense laser generated dense plasmas. (18th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shaikh, Moniruzzaman; Lad, Amit D; Jana, Kamalesh; Sarkar, Deep; Dey, Indranuj; Ravindra Kumar, G
• Is Part Of: Plasma physics and controlled fusion. Volume 59:Number 1(2017:Jan.)
• Publication Date: 2016-10-18
• Subjects: terawatt laser -- laser produced plasma -- fast electrons -- relativistic electron transport -- megagauss magnetic field; Plasma (Ionized gases) -- Periodicals; Controlled fusion -- Periodicals; 530.44
• DOI: 10.1088/0741-3335/59/1/014007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-3335

Abstract

Abstract: Table-top terawatt lasers can create relativistic light intensities and launch megaampere electron pulses in a solid. These pulses induce megagauss (MG) magnetic pulses, which in turn strongly affect the hot electron transport via electromagnetic instabilities. It is therefore crucial to characterize the MG magnetic fields in great detail. Here, we present measurements of the spatio-temporal evolution of MG magnetic fields produced by a high contrast (picosecond intensity contrast 10 −9 ) laser in a dense plasma on a solid target. The MG magnetic field is measured using the magneto-optic Cotton–Mouton effect, with a time delayed second harmonic (400 nm) probe. The magnetic pulse created by the high contrast laser in a glass target peaks much faster and has a more rapid fall than that induced by a low contrast (10 −6 ) laser.