1. The Influence of Laser Induced Magnetic Fields
on Electron Dynamics Using the CRASH Code
• High-energy-density laser experiments
• Behavior of energetic electrons in laser-
generated plasmas
• Hypothesis: magnetic field causes
electrons to travel back and reheat the
foil
• Project: Simulated effect on the path of
energetic electrons caused by magnetic
fields in plasma
• These fields are self-generated through
the Biermann battery process
• Happens when the electron density (ne)
and temperature (Te) gradients are non-
collinear:
Introduction
• The magnetic field does not affect the path
of electrons enough to cause additional
interactions with foil.
Conclusion
• Initial angles: 0°•, 15°•, 30°•, 45°•, 60°•
• Background: magnetic field at 1.0 ns
• Electron paths:
Results
• Since plasma is moving, cannot obtain B
by integration
• Used alternative formula to approximate
magnetic field, where:
 Ion mass (mi )
 Plasma’s vorticity (ξ)
 Charge state (Z)
• Numerical integration by center-difference
smoothed with the Robert-Asselin time
filter
• Accounted for relativistic effects by using
the Lorentz factor
Method for Tracking Electron
Calculating the Magnetic Field
Te: ne:
Countour plots (log-scale) of Te and ne at 0.4 ns
This work is funded by the NNSA-DS and SC-OFES Joint Program in High-Energy-Density
Laboratory Plasmas, grant number DE-NA0002956.
1. E. Kalnay (2012). “Initial value problems: numerical solution”. In Atmospheric
Modeling, Data Assimilation, and Predictability (3.2).
2. M. Manuel, C. Li, F. Séguin, J. Frenje, D. Casey et al (2012). “Rayleigh-Taylor-induced
magnetic fields in laser-irradiated plastic foils.” Physics of Plasmas 19.
Acknowledgements
Student Researcher: Leonardo Oliveira
Project Sponsors: Dr. Carolyn Kuranz1, Jeffrey Fein2, Matthew Trantham1
1. Department of Climate & Space Sciences and Engineering; 2. Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences
Te and ne
1 keV:
49 keV:
16 keV:
100 keV:
Log-scale plot of magnetic field (Tesla) at 0.4 ns