Expansion-Driven Self-Magnetization of High-Energy-Density Plasmas

Abstract

Understanding plasma self-magnetization is one of the fundamental challenges in both laboratory and astrophysical plasmas. Self-magnetization can modify the plasma transport properties, altering the dynamical evolution of plasmas. Multiple high-energy-density (HED) experiments have observed the formation of ion-scale magnetic filaments of megagauss strength, though their origin remains debated. Here, we conduct 2D collisional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations with a laser ray-tracing module for a fully self-consistent simulation of the plasma ablation, expansion, and magnetization. The simulations use a planar geometry, effectively suppressing the Biermann magnetic fields, to focus on anisotropy-driven instabilities. The laser intensity is varied between $10^{13}$ and $10^{14}$ W/$\rm cm^2$, which is relevant to HED and inertial fusion experiments where collisions must be considered. We find that above a critical intensity, the plasma rapidly self-magnetizes via an expansion-driven Weibel process, producing plasma beta of 100 ($\beta = 8\pi k_B n_eT_e/B^2$) and Hall parameter $\omega_{\rm ce}\tau_{e}>1$ within the first few hundred picoseconds. The magnetic field is sufficiently strong to modify plasma heat transport, and simulations with artificially suppressed magnetic field show noticeably different temperature profiles.