Abstract
Solar and Experimental Plasma Physics Synergy
Magnetogenesis and turbulent amplification of laser-produced plasmas on the National Ignition Facility
Dr. Jena Meinecke
G. Gregori (Oxford), A.A. Schekochihin (Oxford), A. Bott (Oxford), A. Rigby (Oxford), D.Q. Lamb (U. of Chicago), P. Tzeferacos (U. of Chicago), J.S. Ross (LLNL), H.-S. Park (LLNL), B.A. Remington (LLNL), A. Zylstra (LANL), H. Sio (MIT), C. Li (MIT)
University of Oxford
Radio-synchroton emission and Faraday Rotation measurements have all revealed that the universe is ubiquitously magnetised—from clusters to filaments to voids—implying that magnetic fields are essential players in the dynamics of luminous matter. The standard model for the origin of galactic and intergalactic magnetic fields is through the generation of small seed fields and amplification of these fields via turbulent motions or dynamo. Due to the invariance of magnetohydrodynamic equations, high-powered lasers can recreate scaled astrophysical events. This talk will focus on previous experiments that have demonstrated the generation of seed fields by the Biermann battery mechanism in laser-produced shock waves and the development of Kolmogorov turbulence. These experiments demonstrated amplification of magnetic fields, analogous to supernova remnant Cassiopeia A. We will also present experimental preparations underway at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to excite turbulent dynamo with a Prandtl number greater than unity. Using 0.3 MJ of the NIF laser, two laser-produced jets will pass through non-conducting grids to generate turbulence before undergoing a head-on collision where turbulent dynamo can be generated.
Schedule
Thursday
09:00 - 10:30
09:45
EX - C33 (150)

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