Mapping giant magnetic fields around dense solid plasmas by high resolution magneto-optical microscopy

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution magneto-optical microscopy to map giant magnetic fields around dense solid plasmas created by intense laser pulses, revealing axial magnetic fields and plasma angular momentum.

Contribution

It provides the first spatial mapping of giant magnetic fields around dense plasmas generated by ultrashort laser pulses, linking magnetic field distribution to plasma angular momentum.

Findings

Detection of giant axial magnetic fields around dense plasmas

First spatial mapping of these magnetic fields

Evidence of plasma angular momentum influence

Abstract

We investigate distribution of magnetic fields around dense solid plasmas generated by intense p-polarized laser (~10^{16} W.cm^{-2}, 100 fs) irradiation of magnetic tapes, using high sensitivity magneto optical microscopy. We present evidence for giant axial magnetic fields and map out for the first time the spatial distribution of these fields. By using the axial magnetic field distribution as a diagnostic tool we uncover evidence for angular momentum associated with the plasma. We believe this study holds significance for investigating the process under which a magnetic material magnetizes or demagnetizes under the influence of ultrashort intense laser pulses.