Electron energization during merging of self-magnetized, high-beta, laser-produced plasmas
Abstract
Electron energization during merging of magnetized plasmas is studied using the OMEGA and OMEGA EP laser facilities by colliding two plasma plumes, each containing a Biermann-battery self-generated magnetic field. Two neighbouring plasma plumes are produced by intense laser beams, and the anti-parallel Biermann fields merge and reconnect in the process of the plumes' expansion and collision. To isolate the merging as an acceleration source, the electron energy spectra obtained from two-plume collision shots are compared with the spectra from single-plume shots. Single-plume shots exhibit an energized electron tail with energies up to ∼ 250 keV. The electrons in merging experiments are additionally accelerated by ∼ 50-100 keV compared to single-plume shots.
- Publication:
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Journal of Plasma Physics
- Pub Date:
- August 2021
- DOI:
- 10.1017/S0022377821000787
- Bibcode:
- 2021JPlPh..87d9011F
- Keywords:
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- astrophysical plasmas