Progress in relativistic laser-plasma interaction with kilotesla-level applied magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in understanding how kilotesla-level magnetic fields influence relativistic laser-plasma interactions, highlighting new phenomena and models for experimental exploration.

Contribution

It introduces simple models to evaluate magnetic-field effects in laser-plasma interactions, aiding future experimental design and understanding of high-field phenomena.

Findings

Magnetic-field amplification with reversible sign demonstrated

Potential for focusing ion acceleration using applied magnetic fields

Models suggest feasible observation of magnetic effects in experiments

Abstract

We report on progress in the understanding of the effects of kilotesla-level applied magnetic fields on relativistic laser-plasma interactions. Ongoing advances in magnetic-field-generation techniques enable new and highly desirable phenomena, including magnetic-field-amplification platforms with reversible sign, focusing ion acceleration, and bulk-relativistic plasma heating. Building on recent advancements in laser-plasma interactions with applied magnetic fields, we introduce simple models for evaluating the effects of applied magnetic fields in magnetic-field amplification, sheath-based ion acceleration, and direct laser acceleration. These models indicate the feasibility of observing beneficial magnetic-field effects under experimentally relevant conditions and offer a starting point for future experimental design.