Laser-driven Strong Magnetic Fields and High Discharge Currents
Author | : Mathieu Bailly-Grandvaux |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 0 |
Release | : 2017 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:1039899960 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (60 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: The problem of strong quasi-static magnetic field generation is a challenge in laser-plasma interaction physics. Proposed 30 years ago, the use of the laser-driven capacitor-coil scheme, which stands out for its compact design while not needing any additional pulsed power source besides the laser power, only recently demonstrated its potential.This thesis work aims at characterizing the underlying physics and at developing this scheme. We demonstrated the generation of strong quasi-static magnetic fields by laser (500 J, 1 ns-duration and ~10^17 W/cm^2 intensity) of several hundreds of Teslas and duration of 2-3 ns. The B-field space- and time-evolutions were characterized using three independent diagnostics: B-dot probes, Faraday rotation and proton-deflectometry). The characterization of the underlying physical processes involved also X-ray diagnostics of the laser-irradiated zone and optical shadowgraphy of the coil rod expansion.A novel application of externally applied magnetic fields to guide relativistic electron beam in dense matter has been carried out and the obtained results set the ground for improved high-energy-density transport in matter. Indeed, allowing sufficient time for the dense target magnetization, a factor 5 improvement of the electron energy-density flux at 50μm-depth was evidenced.Besides, the generation of high discharge currents consecutive to short laser pulse irradiation (50 J,