laser driven platform for generation and characterization of strong quasi static magnetic fields

• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1503.00247
• Publication Date: 2015-08-25
• Authors: Mathieu Bailly-Gr...; Dimitri Batani; Gabriel Schaumann; E. Loyez; M. Chevrot; Shinsuke Fujioka; J. L. Dubois; Alexandre Poyé; P. Forestier-Coll...; J. Gazave; Zhe Zhang; R. Crowston; J. E. Cross; Emmanuel d'Humières; Vladimir Tikhonchuk; Nigel Woolsey; Ph Vacar; Ph. Korneev; Ph. Korneev; L. Giuffrida; R. Bouillaud; Joao Santos; S. Hulin; Gianluca Gregori; J.-R. Marquès; D. Raffestin; Sadaoki Kojima; F. Serres; Olivier Peyrusse; Markus Roth; J. Ribolzi; Ph. Nicolaï; K. Ishihara; Alessio Morace; S. Dorard
• Keywords: [PHYS]Physics [physics]; B-dot probing; proton-deflectometry; Science; Physics; QC1-999; Q; FOS: Physical sciences; laser-driven coil targets; 01 natural sciences; 7. Clean energy; Physics - Plasma Physics; Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph); laser-plasma interaction; plasma magnetization; 0103 physical sciences; strong magnetic field; faraday rotation

16 pages, 7 figures<br/>Quasi-static magnetic-fields up to $800\,$T are generated in the interaction of intense laser pulses ($500\,$J, $1\,$ns, $10^{17}\,$W/cm$^2$) with capacitor-coil targets of different materials. The reproducible magnetic-field peak and rise-time, consistent with the laser pulse duration, were accurately inferred from measurements with GHz-bandwidth inductor pickup coils (B-dot probes). Results from Faraday rotation of polarized optical laser light and deflectometry of energetic proton beams are consistent with the B-dot probe measurements at the early stages of the target charging, up to $t\approx 0.35\,$ns, and then are disturbed by radiation and plasma effects. The field has a dipole-like distribution over a characteristic volume of $1\,$mm$^3$, which is coherent with theoretical expectations. These results demonstrate a very efficient conversion of the laser energy into magnetic fields, thus establishing a robust laser-driven platform for reproducible, well characterized, generation of quasi-static magnetic fields at the kT-level, as well as for magnetization and accurate probing of high-energy-density samples driven by secondary powerful laser or particle beams.<br/>