Study of shock waves in strong magnetic fields

Experiments with shock waves in gaseous and plasma media in strong magnetic fields are presented. Shock waves were generated by a laser beam focused on a rod load placed in a hydrogen jet, in the magnetic field of 100-150 T. Dynamics of shock waves with and without magnetic fields were studied with side on and vertical laser diagnostics at wavelengths of 532 nm and 266 nm, including interferometry, shadowgraphy, and schlieren diagnostic. The shock wave propagated with a velocity of 500-1600 km/s, with the asymmetric expansion in the magnetic field. A shock wave propagated in a gaseous medium and in a laser-generated channel of ionized hydrogen. A shock precursor and a fast azimuthal spread of plasma was observed.