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Title: Short pulse lasers for generation of fields exceeding 100 MG

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6545934

We consider the use of intense, short-pulse lasers for generation of ultra-high magnetic fields. 20 MG-level fields were observed in C0[sub 2] laser-illuminated targets, however the recent development of Nd glass lasers capable of delivering several Joules in [approx] 1 ps at intensities > 10[sup 18] W/cm[sup 4] opens the possibility of much higher magnetic fields (B > 100 MG). Magnetic field generation is associated with the efficient production of energetic electrons at high values of intensity x wavelength[sup 2], I[lambda][sup 2]. I[lambda] is proportional to the square of the oscillating momentum of electronsin the laser EM field. For I[lambda][sup 2] > 10[sup 17] W/cm[sup 2]-[mu]m[sup 2], the electron motion becomes nonlinear and most of the absorbed energy appears as hot'' electrons. The absorption of laser energy has been observed to be [approx] 50% at 10[sup 18] W/cm[sup 2]-[mu]m[sup 2] and is predicted to the same or higher at 10[sup 19] W/cm[sup 2]-[mu]m[sup 2]. The hot electron temperature is much. greater thanbackground temperatures and approaches the oscillatory energy at high I[lambda][sup 2]. The new short pulse lasers reach high values of I[lambda][sup 2] at much higher intensity and energy density than long wavelength C0[sub 2] lasers, which should lead to higher magnetic fields.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6545934
Report Number(s):
UCRL-JC-111540; CONF-921133-19; ON: DE93013346
Resource Relation:
Conference: 6. international conference on megagauss magnetic field generation and related topics, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 9-12 Nov 1992
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English