Magnetization of laser-produced plasma in a chiral hollow target

Abstract

It is demonstrated that targets with a broken rotational symmetry may facilitate the generation of a strong axial (poloidal) magnetic field. An intense laser beam irradiating such a target creates strong electron currents carrying vorticity and producing strong spontaneous magnetic fields. Combined with laser-based acceleration schemes, such targets may be used for generation and guiding of magnetized, collimated particle or plasma beams.

Keywords

• magnetic field
• electron beams
• plasma flows
• laboratory astrophysics
• laser–plasma interaction