Study Of Laser-Driven Magnetic Fields With A Continuous Wave Faraday Rotation Diagnostic

Magnetic fields driven by a laser in coil targets were studied for laser energies of similar to 25 J and two pulse durations of 2.8 ns and 70 ps. Axial magnetic fields in the coils were measured by continuous wave Faraday rotation diagnostics. The diagnostics indicated magnetic fields of 6-14T in the coli and currents of 10-20 kA. Magnetic fields were compared for similar laser targets, focusing conditions, and laser energies. A 30-times increase in the intensity of the laser beam by reducing the pulse duration resulted in an increase in the magnetic field and current by a factor of 2. The relaxation time of the magnetic pulse was on the sub-microsecond scale. Published under license by AIP Publishing.