Simulation Study Of Enhancing Laser Driven Multi-Kev Line-Radiation Through Application Of External Magnetic Fields

We present a path forward for enhancing laser driven, multi-keV line-radiation from mid-to high-Z, sub-quarter-critical density, non-equilibrium plasmas through inhibited thermal transport in the presence of an externally generated magnetic field. Preliminary simulations with Kr and Ag suggest that as much as 50%-100% increases in peak electron temperatures are possible-without any changes in laser drive conditions-with magnetized interactions. The increase in temperature results in similar to 2-3x enhancements in laser-to-x-ray conversion efficiency for K-shell emission with simultaneous less than or similar to 4x reduction in L-shell emission using current field generation capabilities on the Omega laser and near-term capabilities on the National Ignition Facility laser. Increased plasma temperatures and enhanced K-shell emission are observed to come at the cost of degraded volumetric heating. Such enhancements in high-photon-energy x-ray sources could expand the existing laser platforms for increasingly penetrating x-ray radiography. Published by AIP Publishing.