Mapping return currents in laser-generated Z-pinch plasmas using proton deflectometry

Journal Article · Mon May 14 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4718425· OSTI ID:22025559

Manuel, M J -E; Sinenian, N; Seguin, F H; Li, C K; Frenje, J A; Rinderknecht, H G; Casey, D T; Zylstra, A B; Petrasso, R D ^[1]; Beg, F N ^[2]

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1. Plasma Science and Fusion Center, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02144 (United States)
2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0411 (United States)

Dynamic return currents and electromagnetic field structure in laser-generated Z-pinch plasmas have been measured using proton deflectometry. Experiments were modeled to accurately interpret deflections observed in proton radiographs. Current flow is shown to begin on axis and migrate outwards with the expanding coronal plasma. Magnetic field strengths of {approx}1 T are generated by currents that increase from {approx}2 kA to {approx}7 kA over the course of the laser pulse. Proton deflectometry has been demonstrated to be a practical alternative to other magnetic field diagnostics for these types of plasmas.

• OSTI ID: 22025559
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 100, Issue 20; Other Information: (c) 2012 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
LASER RADIATION
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
LONGITUDINAL PINCH
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAPPING
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PROTON RADIOGRAPHY
PROTONS