A5021211315- Magnetic confinement fusion research
- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Laser-induced spectroscopy and plasma
- Plasma Diagnostics and Applications
- Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Magnetic properties of thin films
- Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism
- Particle accelerators and beam dynamics
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
- Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Characterization and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Ion-surface interactions and analysis
- Electromagnetic Launch and Propulsion Technology
- Induction Heating and Inverter Technology
- Combustion and Detonation Processes
- Pulsed Power Technology Applications
Plasma Technology (United States)
2022-2025
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2022-2025
Fusion Academy
2022-2025
Fusion (United States)
2022-2024
We present the first experimental study of plasmoid formation in a magnetic reconnection layer undergoing rapid radiative cooling, regime relevant to extreme astrophysical plasmas. Two exploding aluminum wire arrays, driven by Z machine, generate (SL≈120) which cooling rate far exceeds hydrodynamic transit (τhydro/τcool>100). The generates transient burst >1 keV x-ray emission, consistent with and subsequent layer. Time-gated images show fast-moving (up 50 km s−1) hotspots layer, presence...
Magnetic reconnection is a ubiquitous process in plasma physics, driving rapid and energetic events such as coronal mass ejections. Reconnection between magnetic fields with arbitrary shear can be decomposed into an anti-parallel reconnecting component non-reconnecting guide-field component, which parallel to the electric field. This guide field modifies structure of layer rate. We present results from experiments on MAIZE pulsed-power generator (500 kA peak current, 200 ns rise time), use...
We use machine-learning (ML) models to predict ion density and electron temperature from visible emission spectra, in a high-energy pulsed-power-driven aluminum plasma, generated by an exploding wire array. Radiation transport simulations, which spectral emissivity opacity values using the collisional-radiative code PrismSPECT, are used determine intensity plasma along spectrometer's line of sight (LOS). The spectra exhibit Al-II Al-III lines, whose ratios widths vary with plasma. These...
Magnetic reconnection is an important process in astrophysical environments, as it reconfigures magnetic field topology and converts energy into thermal kinetic energy. In extreme systems, such black hole coronae pulsar magnetospheres, radiative cooling modifies the partition by radiating away internal energy, which can lead to collapse of layer. this paper, we perform two- three-dimensional simulations model MARZ (Magnetic Reconnection on Z) experiments, are designed access rates laboratory...
We present evidence for strong radiative cooling in a pulsed-power-driven magnetic reconnection experiment. Two aluminum exploding wire arrays, driven by 20 MA peak current, 300 ns rise time pulse from the Z machine (Sandia National Laboratories), generate strongly plasma flows (MA≈7) with anti-parallel fields, which form layer (SL≈120) at mid-plane. The net rate far exceeds Alfvénic transit (τcool−1/τA−1≫1), leading to of layer. determine advected field and flow velocity using inductive...
We present a technique to measure the time-resolved velocity and ion sound speed in magnetized, supersonic high-energy-density plasmas. place an inductive (“b-dot”) probe pulsed-power-driven plasma flow magnetic field advected by plasma. As Reynolds number is large (RM > 10), advects proportional current at load. This enables us estimate as function of time from delay between load signal probe. The also generates hydrodynamic bow shock around probe, structure which depends on upstream...
We investigate three-dimensional (3-D) bow shocks in a highly collisional magnetized aluminium plasma, generated during the ablation phase of an exploding wire array on MAGPIE facility (1.4 MA, 240 ns). Ablation plasma from generates radially diverging, supersonic ( $M_S \sim 7$ ), super-Alfvénic $M_A > 1$ ) flows with frozen-in magnetic flux $R_M \gg ). These collide inductive probe placed flow, which serves both as obstacle that shock, and diagnostic advected field. Laser interferometry...
We characterize the plasma flows generated during ablation stage of an over-massed exploding planar wire array, fielded on COBRA pulsed-power facility (1 MA peak current, 250 ns rise time). The array is designed to provide a driving magnetic field (80–100 T) and current per distribution (about 60 kA), similar that in 10 cylindrical Z machine. Over-massing arrays enables continuous over duration experiment without implosion. requirement over-mass machine necessitates wires with diameters...
We present results from the first experimental study of strongly radiatively-cooled magnetic reconnection. Two exploding aluminum wire arrays, driven simultaneously by Z machine ($I_{max} = 20 \, \text{MA}$, $t_{\text{rise}} 300 \text{ns}$), generate a reconnection layer ($S_L \approx 120$) in which total cooling rate exceeds hydrodynamic transit ($\tau_{\text{hydro}}/\tau_{\text{cool}} > 100$). Measurements X-ray emission using filtered diode ($>1$ keV) show narrow (50 ns FWHM) burst at 220...
Magnetic reconnection is a ubiquitous process in plasma physics, driving rapid and energetic events such as coronal mass ejections. Reconnection between magnetic fields with arbitrary shear can be decomposed into an anti-parallel, reconnecting component, non-reconnecting guide-field component which parallel to the electric field. This guide field modifies structure of layer rate. We present results from experiments on MAIZE pulsed-power generator (500 kA peak current, 200 ns rise-time) use...
We characterize the plasma flows generated during ablation stage of an over-massed exploding planar wire array, fielded on COBRA pulsed-power facility (1 MA peak current, 250 ns rise time). The array is designed to provide a driving magnetic field (80-100 T) and current per distribution (about 60 kA), similar that in 10 cylindrical Z machine. Over-massing arrays enables continuous over duration experiment. requirement over-mass machine necessitates wires with diameters 75-100 $\mu$m, which...
Magnetic reconnection - the abrupt change in magnetic field topology accompanied by explosive release of heat and kinetic energy is an important process astrophysical plasmas. In high-energy-density environments, strong radiative cooling can modify process, rapidly removing dissipated current sheet. The MARZ (Magnetically Ablated Reconnection on Z) collaboration investigates radiatively-cooled laboratory Z pulsed-power machine, as part Fundamental Science Program.
Magnetic reconnection is a ubiquitous process throughout the Universe, which changes topology of magnetic fields and releases energy impulsively in form heat, directed flows fast particles. In extreme astrophysical environments, radiative cooling further modifies this partition energy, leading to instabilities modify process. The MARZ (Magnetically Ablated Reconnection on Z) collaboration carried out three shots Z Machine as part Fundamental Science Program study radiatively cooled laboratory.