Laser Heating of Magnetically Confined Plasmas for X-Ray Production. Phase II.
Abstract
A detailed laser absorption-atomic physics program has been developed to describe the 'bleaching wave' propagation of a laser beam into a magnetically confined plasma column, and the subsequent ionization of, and radiation from, high-Z constituents. A CO2 laser producing 100 J in 50 nsec has been used to heat neon plasmas in 100 kG magnetic fields to several hundred eV temperatures at 10 to the 18th power/cc electron densities. A dense, 10-cm long, 1-cm diameter, weakly ionized plasma column was formed by theta pinch action. The central few mm were heated and 8 times ionized by the laser driven bleaching wave. For laser pulse energies above 70 J, intense K-shell radiation was measured emanating from the far end of the plasma column.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA027957
Entities
People
- Alan L. Hoffman