Researchers D. Pan and M. Murakami, affiliated with the Institute of Laser Engineering at Osaka University, have made a significant breakthrough in the generation of ultrahigh magnetic fields. Their work, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, demonstrates a novel method for creating magnetic fields in the order of gigagauss, which could have practical applications in the energy sector.
In their study, Pan and Murakami used a unique target design—a bladed microtube with a sawtooth-like inner surface—to generate these ultrahigh magnetic fields. When this target is irradiated by ultra-intense, ultrashort laser pulses, it produces hot electrons with MeV energies at the outer surface. These electrons are then swiftly transported to the inner surface, initiating a rapid implosion of plasma toward the central axis.
The key to this method lies in the unique blade-induced asymmetry of the target design. This asymmetry gives rise to vortex-shaped flows of ions and electrons near the center of the microtube. These vortex flows form strong azimuthal loop currents, which in turn generate ultrahigh magnetic fields at the center.
To understand the underlying physics and identify key scaling laws governing the field strength and spatial confinement, the researchers conducted two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. These simulations were supported by a simple analytical model, providing a comprehensive understanding of the process.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are significant. Ultrahigh magnetic fields could potentially be used in compact fusion reactors, which are a promising avenue for clean, sustainable energy production. The ability to generate such strong magnetic fields in a controlled manner could also enhance the performance of magnetic confinement fusion devices, bringing us one step closer to achieving practical fusion power.
In summary, Pan and Murakami’s work presents a novel method for generating ultrahigh magnetic fields using a bladed microtube target and ultra-intense laser pulses. This research, published in Physical Review Letters, offers valuable insights into the underlying physics and potential applications for the energy sector.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.