Magnetic reconnection and plasma dynamics in two-beam laser-solid interactions

We present measurements of a magnetic reconnection in a plasma created by two laser beams (1 ns pulse duration, 1 x 10(15) W cm(-2)) focused in close proximity on a planar solid target. Simultaneous optical probing and proton grid deflectometry reveal two high velocity, collimated outflowing jets an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2006-12, Vol.97 (25), p.255001-255001, Article 255001
Main Authors: Nilson, P M, Willingale, L, Kaluza, M C, Kamperidis, C, Minardi, S, Wei, M S, Fernandes, P, Notley, M, Bandyopadhyay, S, Sherlock, M, Kingham, R J, Tatarakis, M, Najmudin, Z, Rozmus, W, Evans, R G, Haines, M G, Dangor, A E, Krushelnick, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASERS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC RECONNECTION
PLASMA PRODUCTION
PROTONS
SOLIDS
THOMSON SCATTERING
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Summary:We present measurements of a magnetic reconnection in a plasma created by two laser beams (1 ns pulse duration, 1 x 10(15) W cm(-2)) 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.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.97.255001