Laser produced plasma jets: Collimation and instability in strong transverse magnetic fields

Abstract

Highly collimated plasma jets are produced with laser irradiation of solid barium targets. The plasma streams many Larmor radii across a strong transverse magnetic field (10 kG) with little inhibition. The plasma jet is observed to narrow or ‘‘focus’’ in the plane perpendicular to the field, while in the plane of the field the plasma expands along the field lines and displays flutelike striations. The narrowing of the plasma jet is understood in terms of the configuration of the plasma polarization fields while the flute structure is identified as a electron-ion hybrid velocity-shear instability.