Studying Magnetized Shocks of Varying Collisionality at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics

The formation, dissipation mechanisms, and structure of magnetized shocks depend strongly on their degree of collisionality. A new experimental platform named "GasJetMagShock" has been developed at the Omega Laser Facility to explore the properties of magnetized shocks over a wide range of collisionality and magnetizations, from highly collisional magnetohydrodynamic shocks to collisionless experiments relevant to laboratory astrophysics. The platform launches shocks using a rear-illuminated solid-density piston, closely replicating the reflecting-wall boundary conditions commonly applied in kinetic simulations of shock formation. The background plasma into which the shock is driven is produced using a high-pressure gas jet, allowing the platform to access a wide range of densities and therefore collisionality. Diagnostics include proton radiography (electric and magnetic fields), optical angular filter refractometry (density), and optical Thomson scattering (density and temperature). In this talk, we describe the platform and present initial results from a series of commissioning experiments ranging from highly collisional to collisionless shocks. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0003856and Department of Energy under Award Number DE-SC0020431.