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

T. Morita, T. Kojima, S. Matsuo, S. Matsukiyo, S. Isayama, R. Yamazaki, S. J. Tanaka, K. Aihara, Y. Sato, J. Shiota, Y. Pan, K. Tomita, T. Takezaki, Y. Kuramitsu, K. Sakai, S. Egashira, H. Ishihara, O. Kuramoto, Y. Matsumoto, K. Maeda, and Y. Sakawa

Phys. Rev. E 106, 055207 – Published 10 November 2022

Abstract

Magnetic reconnection in laser-produced magnetized plasma is investigated by using optical diagnostics. The magnetic field is generated via the 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 midplane, 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.

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Received 31 May 2022
Accepted 23 September 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.106.055207

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

High-energy-density plasmas Laboratory studies of space & astrophysical plasmas Laser-induced magnetic fields in plasmas

Optical plasma measurements Optical spectroscopy Time-resolved light scattering spectroscopy

Plasma Physics

Authors & Affiliations

T. Morita ^1,*, T. Kojima², S. Matsuo², S. Matsukiyo ^1,3, S. Isayama ¹, R. Yamazaki ^4,5, S. J. Tanaka ⁴, K. Aihara⁴, Y. Sato⁴, J. Shiota⁴, Y. Pan², K. Tomita⁶, T. Takezaki⁷, Y. Kuramitsu⁸, K. Sakai ⁸, S. Egashira⁹, H. Ishihara⁹, O. Kuramoto⁹, Y. Matsumoto⁹, K. Maeda⁹, and Y. Sakawa ⁵

¹Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-1 Kasuga-Koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
²Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, 6-1, Kasuga-Koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
³International Research Center for Space and Planetary Environmental Science, Kyushu University, Motooka, Nishi-Ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
⁴Department of Physical Sciences, Aoyama Gakuin University, 5-10-1 Fuchinobe, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5258, Japan
⁵Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
⁶Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Kita 13 Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
⁷Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku 3190, Toyama-shi, Toyama 930-8555, Japan
⁸Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
⁹Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikane-yama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan

^*morita@aees.kyushu-u.ac.jp

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Vol. 106, Iss. 5 — November 2022

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