Ionization dynamics of relativistic laser-driven magnetic field generation

Abstract

Intense magnetic field generation via relativistic femtosecond laser-plasma interaction is investigated for pre-ionized and neutral targets using 2D3V particle-in-cell simulation. The effect of varying laser polarization was also investigated. Particle-in-cell simulations and qualitative estimates show that our current targets generate magnetic fields of the order of hundreds of kiloTeslas. Among the configurations we investigated, the neutral targets produce higher self-sustaining magnetic flux and magnetic field intensity. The magnetic field amplification observed in initially neutral targets is attributed to the ionization dynamics. Further study can be done by extending the simulation time to include the pre-pulse effects of the laser.