G. Zhao

Plasmoid Ejection and Secondary Current Sheet Generation from Magnetic Reconnection in Laser-Plasma Interaction

Reconnection of the self-generated magnetic fields in laser-plasma interaction was first investigated experimentally by Nilson et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 255001 (2006)] by shining two laser pulses a distance apart on a solid target layer. An elongated current sheet (CS) was observed in the plasma between the two laser spots. In order to more closely model magnetotail reconnection, here two side-by-side thin target layers, instead of a single one, are used. It is found that at one end of the elongated CS a fanlike electron outflow region including three well-collimated electron jets appears. The (>1 MeV) tail of the jet energy distribution exhibits a power-law scaling. The enhanced electron acceleration is attributed to the intense inductive electric field in the narrow electron dominated reconnection region, as well as additional acceleration as they are trapped inside the rapidly moving plasmoid formed in and ejected from the CS. The ejection also induces a secondary CS.

Magnetic reconnection driven by Gekko XII lasers with a Helmholtz capacitor-coil target

We demonstrate a novel plasma device for magnetic reconnection, driven by Gekko XII lasers irradiating a double-turn Helmholtz capacitor-coil target. Optical probing revealed an accumulated plasma plume near the magnetic reconnection outflow. The background electron density and magnetic field were measured to be approximately 1018u2009cm−3 and 60u2009T by using Nomarski interferometry and the Faraday effect, respectively. In contrast with experiments on magnetic reconnection constructed by the Biermann battery effect, which produced high beta values, our beta value was much lower than one, which greatly extends the parameter regime of laser-driven magnetic reconnection and reveals its potential in astrophysical plasma applications.

Strong magnetic fields generated with a simple open-ended coil irradiated by high power laser pulses

A simple scheme to produce strong magnetic fields due to cold electron flow in an open-ended coil heated by high power laser pulses is proposed. It differs from previous generation of magnetic fields driven by fast electron current in a capacitor-coil target [S. Fujioka et al., Sci. Rep. 3, 1170 (2013)]. The fields in our experiments are measured by B-dot detectors and proton radiography, respectively. A 205u2009T strong magnetic field at the center of the coil target is generated in the free space at Iλ2 of 6.85u2009×u20091014u2009Wu2009cm−2u2009μm2, where I is the laser intensity, and λ is the laser wavelength. The magnetic field strength is proportional to Iλ2. Compared with the capacitor-coil target, the generation mechanism of the magnetic field is straightforward and the coil is easy to be fabricated.

A novel laser-collider used to produce monoenergetic 13.3 MeV (7)Li (d, n) neutrons.

Neutron energy is directly correlated with the energy of the incident ions in experiments involving laser-driven nuclear reactions. Using high-energy incident ions reduces the energy concentration of the generated neutrons. A novel “laser-collider” method was used at the Shenguang II laser facility to produce monoenergetic neutrons via 7Li (d, n) nuclear reactions. The specially designed K-shaped target significantly increased the numbers of incident d and Li ions at the keV level. Ultimately, 13.3u2009MeV neutrons were obtained. Considering the time resolution of the neutron detector, we demonstrated that the produced neutrons were monoenergetic. Interferometry and a Multi hydro-dynamics simulation confirmed the monoenergetic nature of these neutrons.

Neutron yield enhancement in laser-induced deuterium-deuterium fusion using a novel shaped target.

Neutron yields have direct correlation with the energy of incident deuterons in experiments of laser deuterated target interaction [Roth et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 044802 (2013) and Higginson et al., Phys. Plasmas 18, 100703 (2011)], while deuterated plasma density is also an important parameter. Experiments at the Shenguang II laser facility have produced neutrons with energy of 2.45 MeV using d (d, n) He reaction. Deuterated foil target and K-shaped target were employed to study the influence of plasma density on neutron yields. Neutron yield generated by K-shaped target (nearly 10(6)) was two times higher than by foil target because the K-shaped target results in higher density plasma. Interferometry and multi hydro-dynamics simulation confirmed the importance of plasma density for enhancement of neutron yields.

Study of rectangular beam folded waveguide traveling-wave tube for terahertz radiation

To gain higher power with a lower cathode current density and a simpler structure, a novel rectangular beam folded waveguide traveling-wave tube (RB-FW-TWT) operating at 220u2009GHz is proposed and analyzed in this paper and compared with the normal circular beam (CB) FW TWT. The dispersion characteristic was investigated based on an equivalent circuit model. The interaction impedance and the S-parameter of a RB-FW traveling-wave tube were analyzed by numerical simulations. A 3-D particle-in-cell code CST particle studio was introduced to analyze the performance of RB-FW TWT. The influence of the initial electron energy, frequency, input power, guiding magnetic field, and aspect ratio of the RB tunnel on the circuit performance was observed, and physical explanations were given. It reveals that the output power of RB-FW can reach 51.1u2009dBm, 8.4% dBm higher than a CB-FW, with a 3u2009dB bandwidth of 35u2009GHz when the beam voltage and current are set to 14.25u2009kV and 140u2009mA, respectively. An aspect ratio of 0.4 is reco...

Studies of high energy density physics and laboratory astrophysics driven by intense lasers

Laser plasmas are capable of creating unique physical conditions with extreme high energy density, which are not only closely relevant to inertial fusion energy studies, but also to laboratory simulation of some astrophysical processes. In this paper, we highlight some recent progress made by our research teams. The first part is about directional hot electron beam generation and transport for fast ignition of inertial confinement fusion, as well as a new scheme of fast ignition by use of a strong external DC magnetic field. The second part concerns laboratory modeling of some astrophysical phenomena, including 1) studies of the topological structure of magnetic reconnection/annihilation that relates closely to geomagnetic substorms, loop-top X-ray source and mass ejection in solar flares, and 2) magnetic field generation and evolution in collisionless shock formation.

Soft x-ray spectra and collisional ionization equilibrium of iron ions with data upgrade of electron–ion collisions

Line emissivities and ionic fraction in (non-)equilibrium are crucial for understanding the x-ray and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectra. These emission originate from electron-impact excitations for a level population of highly charged ions in coronal-like plasma. Recently, a large amount of excitation data was generated within the -matrix framework by the computational atomic physics community, especially the UK APAP network. These data take resonances in electron–ion collisions into account appropriately, which enhances the effective excitation rates and also the line emissivities in x-ray and EUV regions. For ionization equilibrium data, the earlier compilation by Mazzotta et al (1998 Astron. Astrophys. Supp. Ser. 133 403) was used extensively by the astronomical community until the update by Bryans et al (2006 Astrophys. J. Supp. Ser. 167 343), as well as the compilation of Dere (2007 Astron. Astrophys. 466 771) for electron-impact ionization rates. In past years, many experimental measurements have been performed of highly charged iron ions in heavy-ion storage ring facilities. In this work, we will investigate the line emissivities and ionization equilibrium of highly charged iron ions by using recent theoretical or experimental data of electron-impact excitations and ionizations.

Some Progress of Study on Laboratory Astrophysics in China

Some latest progress of the laboratory astrophysics in China are reviewed, particularly of those related to the atomic physics. This paper will address the problems related to the data needs in the area of analysis of modelling spectra emitted by laser facilities in laboratory as well as astrophysical plasmas. The atomic data required for some important unsolved problems in stellar spectroscopy are presented as well.