Production of Alfven Waves by a Rapidly Expanding Dense Plasma

Journal Article · Mon Sep 03 00:00:00 EDT 2001 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.105001· OSTI ID:40277532

VanZeeland, M; Gekelman, W; Vincena, S; Dimonte, G

The expansion of a dense (initially, n{sub lpp}/n{sub 0}>>1) laser-produced plasma into an ambient magnetized plasma (n{sub 0}=2 x 10{sup 12} cm {sup -3}) capable of supporting Alfven waves has been studied. The interaction results in the production of shear Alfven waves as well as large density perturbations ({Delta}n/n{sub 0}{approx}0.3) associated with the moving dense plasma. The waves propagate away from the target and are observed to become plasma-column resonances. Spatial patterns of the wave magnetic fields are measured and are used to estimate the coupling efficiency of the laser energy and the kinetic energy of the dense plasma into wave energy.

• Sponsoring Organization: (US)
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-98ER54494; W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 40277532
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 87, Issue 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.105001; Othernumber: PRLTAO000087000010105001000001; 025136PRL; PBD: 3 Sep 2001; ISSN 0031-9007
• Publisher: The American Physical Society
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EFFICIENCY
KINETIC ENERGY
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
PRODUCTION
SHEAR
TARGETS