Magnetic Reconnection and Plasma Dynamics in Two-Beam Laser-Solid Interactions

P. M. Nilson, L. Willingale, M. C. Kaluza, C. Kamperidis, S. Minardi, M. S. Wei, P. Fernandes, M. Notley, S. Bandyopadhyay, M. Sherlock, R. J. Kingham, M. Tatarakis, Z. Najmudin, W. Rozmus, R. G. Evans, M. G. Haines, A. E. Dangor, and K. Krushelnick
Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 255001 – Published 19 December 2006

Abstract

We present measurements of a magnetic reconnection in a plasma created by two laser beams (1 ns pulse duration, 1×1015Wcm2) focused in close proximity on a planar solid target. Simultaneous optical probing and proton grid deflectometry reveal two high velocity, collimated outflowing jets and 0.7—1.3 MG magnetic fields at the focal spot edges. Thomson scattering measurements from the reconnection layer are consistent with high electron temperatures in this region.

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  • Received 22 May 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.255001

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

P. M. Nilson1, L. Willingale1, M. C. Kaluza1,*, C. Kamperidis1, S. Minardi2, M. S. Wei1,†, P. Fernandes1, M. Notley3, S. Bandyopadhyay3, M. Sherlock3, R. J. Kingham1, M. Tatarakis2, Z. Najmudin1, W. Rozmus4, R. G. Evans3, M. G. Haines1, A. E. Dangor1, and K. Krushelnick1

  • 1Department of Physics, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
  • 2Technological Educational Institute of Crete, Chania, Crete, Greece
  • 3Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon., United Kingdom
  • 4Department of Physics, University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

  • *Present address: Institute for Optics and Quantum Electronics, Germany.
  • Present address: Center for Energy Research, University of CA, USA.

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Issue

Vol. 97, Iss. 25 — 22 December 2006

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