Observation of Megagauss-Field Topology Changes due to Magnetic Reconnection in Laser-Produced Plasmas

Journal Article · Fri Aug 03 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.99.055001· OSTI ID:20957924

Li, C K; Seguin, F H; Frenje, J A; Rygg, J R; Petrasso, R D; Town, R P. J.; Landen, O L; Knauer, J P; Smalyuk, V A ^[1]

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1. Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 (United States)

The spatial structure and temporal evolution of megagauss magnetic fields generated by interactions of up to 4 laser beams with matter were studied with an innovative, time-gated proton radiography method that produces images of unprecedented clarity because it uses an isotropic, truly monoenergetic backlighter (14.7-MeV protons from D{sup 3}He nuclear fusion reactions). Quantitative field maps reveal precisely and directly, for the first time, changes in the magnetic topology due to reconnection in a high-energy-density plasma (n{sub e}{approx}10{sup 20}-10{sup 22} cm{sup -3}, T{sub e}{approx}1 keV)

• OSTI ID: 20957924
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 99, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.055001; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ENERGY DENSITY
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
MEV RANGE 10-100
PROTON BEAMS
PROTON RADIOGRAPHY
PROTONS
TOPOLOGY