Collisionless laboratory experiments with applications to shock physics

N. C. Woolsey*, A. D. Ash, C. Courtois, R. A.D. Grundy, R. O. Dendy, K. G. McClements

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We present results of an experiment designed to address key aspects of magnetized collisionless shocks using two laser-produced plasmas in opposing geometry. The dynamics of the two plasmas and their interaction were studied with and without magnetic fields using spatially and temporally resolved measurements of the electron density. Results show that counter-propagating collisionless plasmas mainly interpenetrate when no magnetic field is present. In contrast, experimental results obtained with the addition of a 7.5 T magnetic field show density features in the collision area that only occur when the field is present. The reason for this remains uncertain, and may result from an increase in the effective collisionality.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInertial Fusion Sciences and Applications 2003
EditorsB.A. Hammel, D.D. Meyerhofer, J. Meyer-ter-Vehn
Pages925-929
Number of pages5
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2004
EventThird International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications, IFSA 2003 - Monterey, CA, United States
Duration: 7 Sept 200312 Sept 2003

Conference

ConferenceThird International Conference on Inertial Fusion Sciences and Applications, IFSA 2003
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMonterey, CA
Period7/09/0312/09/03

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