Detection of current-sheet and bipolar ion flows in a self-generated antiparallel magnetic field of laser-produced plasmas for magnetic reconnection research

TL;DR

This paper investigates magnetic reconnection in laser-produced plasmas using optical diagnostics, revealing ion flows, magnetic field dissipation, and electron currents through Thomson scattering measurements.

Contribution

It demonstrates the use of two-directional laser Thomson scattering to study microphysics of magnetic reconnection in laser-generated plasmas, highlighting asymmetric ion velocities and current formation.

Findings

Detection of plasma stagnation and interaction at mid-plane

Observation of asymmetric ion velocity distributions

Evidence of electron current formation

Abstract

Magnetic reconnection in laser-produced magnetized plasma is investigated by using optical diagnostics. The magnetic field is generated via Biermann battery effect, and the inversely directed magnetic field lines interact with each other. It is shown by self-emission measurement that two colliding plasmas stagnate on a mid-plane forming two planar dense regions, and that they interact later in time. Laser Thomson scattering spectra are distorted in the direction of the self-generated magnetic field, indicating asymmetric ion velocity distribution and plasma acceleration. In addition, the spectra perpendicular to the magnetic field show different peak intensity, suggesting an electron current formation. These results are interpreted as magnetic field dissipation, reconnection, and outflow acceleration. Two-directional laser Thomson scattering is, as discussed here, a powerful tool for the investigation of microphysics in the reconnection region.