Numerical Simulation of magnetized jet creation using a hollow ring of laser beams

TL;DR

This paper uses 3D magneto-hydrodynamics simulations to interpret laser-driven magnetized jets, showing good agreement with experiments and revealing complex magnetic structures like flux ropes.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed simulation approach for laser-driven magnetized jets, highlighting magnetic field amplification and flux rope formation, advancing laboratory astrophysics modeling.

Findings

Simulation matches experimental Thomson scattering spectra and proton images.

Magnetic fields are amplified at jet boundaries via Biermann battery effects.

Multiple magnetic flux ropes with alternating poloidal components are predicted.

Abstract

Three dimensional FLASH magneto-hydrodynamics(MHD) modeling is carried out to interpret the OMEGA laser experiments of strongly magnetized, highly collimated jets driven by a ring of 20 OMEGA beams. The predicted optical Thomson scattering spectra and proton images are in good agreement with a subset of the experimental data. Magnetic fields generated via the Biermann battery term are amplified at the boundary between the core and the surrounding of the jet. The simulation predicts multiple axially aligned magnetic flux ropes with alternating poloidal component. Future applications of the hollow ring configuration in laboratory astrophysics are discussed.