Microcavity implosions to generate extreme electric fields and ultrahigh magnetic fields

Abstract

Microcavity implosions driven by multiple ultraintense laser pulses enable new regimes of strong electric and magnetic field generation. Laser irradiation of a target with an embedded micron-scale void generates a population of hot electrons which fill the void, driving implosion of the cavity. When the implosion is symmetric, the collapse of the ions to the target center is accompanied by the generation of a strong electric field. In the case of spherical microbubbles, the resulting electric field is predicted to reach the extreme values needed to observe high-field phenomenon such as vacuum polarization. Cylindrical microtube implosions, while less favorable for electric field production, generate strong axially-oriented magnetic fields, and can additionally amplifying applied fields, offering a path towards megatesla magnetic fields. The development of microcavity implosion platforms would introduce new capabilities in extreme electric field and ultrahigh magnetic field generation for both high-field physics and magnetized high energy density plasma experiments.