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Laboratory Studies of Laser-Driven, Magnetized Collisionless Shocks

ORAL

Abstract

We present results from experiments and simulations on the formation and evolution of quasiperpendicular collisionless shocks created through the interaction of a supersonic laser-driven magnetic piston and magnetized ambient plasma. Time-resolved, two-dimensional imaging of plasma density and magnetic fields shows the formation and evolution of a supercritical shock propagating at magnetosonic Mach number Mms ≈ 12. By directly probing particle velocity distributions, additional measurements reveal the coupling interactions between the piston and ambient plasmas that are key steps in the formation of magnetized collisionless shocks. Particle-in-cell simulations constrained by experimental data further detail the shock formation process, the role of collisionality, and the dynamics of multi-ion-species ambient plasmas. The development of this experimental platform complements, and in some cases overcomes, the limitations of similar measurements undertaken by spacecraft missions, and allows novel investigations of energy partitioning and particle acceleration by high-Mach-number shocks.

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Presenters

  • Derek B Schaeffer

    Princeton University, University of California, Los Angeles, Princeton University, USA

Authors

  • Derek B Schaeffer

    Princeton University, University of California, Los Angeles, Princeton University, USA

  • William R Fox

    Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), USA, Princeton University

  • Jackson V Matteucci

    Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

  • Kirill Lezhnin

    Princeton University

  • Amitava Bhattacharjee

    Princeton University

  • Gennady Fiksel

    University of Michigan

  • Chikang Li

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT, MIT

  • Kai Germaschewski

    University of New Hampshire

  • Daniel J Haberberger

    Lab for Laser Energetics

  • Russell K Follett

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics - Rochester, University of Rochester Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Physics, and Computer Science, Laboratory for Laser Energetics

  • Daniel H Barnak

    University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, U. of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester

  • Suxing X Hu

    Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, University of Rochester, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, USA, Laboratory of Laser Energetics, University of Rochester