Record indoor magnetic field of 1200 T generated by electromagnetic flux-compression

An experimental platform for investigation of the Zeeman effect in strong magnetic fields

An experimental platform is developed for the investigation of the Zeeman effect in strong magnetic fields. Mega-Gauss magnetic fields are generated by a 1 MA Zebra pulsed power machine using metal rod loads. A gas jet or CH oil on the load is the source of hydrogen. Excited hydrogen atoms are backlit by black body radiation from the rod load. Hydrogen absorption spectra are recorded with a grating spectrometer and intensified gated CCD camera. The experimental platform enables the observation of the quadratic Zeeman effect in hydrogen gas jets using the spectral shift of the central line in the Zeeman triplet. Other gases can be studied using the gas jet method.

Magnetic optical rotation from real-time simulations in finite magnetic fields

We present a numerical approach to magnetic optical rotation based on real-time time-dependent electronic-structure theory. Not relying on perturbation expansions in the magnetic field strength, the formulation allows us to test the range of validity of the linear relation between the rotation angle per unit path length and the magnetic field strength that was established empirically by Verdet 160 years ago. Results obtained from time-dependent coupled-cluster and time-dependent current density-functional theory are presented for the closed-shell molecules H2, HF, and CO in magnetic fields up to 55 kT at standard temperature and pressure conditions. We find that Verdet's linearity remains valid up to roughly 10-20 kT, above which significant deviations from linearity are observed. Among the three current density-functional approximations tested in this work, the current-dependent Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria hybrid functional performs the best in comparison with time-dependent coupled-cluster singles and doubles results for the magnetic optical rotation.

Radiation Reaction Cooling as a Source of Anisotropic Momentum Distributions with Inverted Populations

Under the presence of strong electromagnetic fields and radiation reaction, plasmas develop anisotropic momentum distributions, characterized by a population inversion. This is a general property of collisionless plasmas when the radiation reaction force is taken into account. We study the case of a plasma in a strong magnetic field and demonstrate the development of ring momentum distributions. The timescales for ring formation are derived for this configuration. The analytical results for the ring properties and the timescales for ring formation are confirmed with particle-in-cell simulations. The resulting momentum distributions are kinetically unstable and are known to lead to coherent radiation emission in astrophysical plasmas and laboratory setups.

Signature of spin-triplet exciton condensations in LaCoO3 at ultrahigh magnetic fields up to 600 T

Bose-Einstein condensation of electron-hole pairs, exciton condensation, has been effortfully investigated since predicted 60 years ago. Irrefutable evidence has still been lacking due to experimental difficulties in verifying the condensation of the charge neutral and non-magnetic spin-singlet excitons. Whilst, condensation of spin-triplet excitons is a promising frontier because spin supercurrent and spin-Seebeck effects will be observable. A canonical cobaltite LaCoO₃ under very high magnetic fields is a propitious candidate, yet to be verified. Here, we unveil the exotic phase diagram of LaCoO₃ up to 600 T generated using the electromagnetic flux compression method and the state-of-the-art magnetostriction gauge. We found the continuous magnetostriction curves and a bending structure, which suggest the emergence of two distinct spin-triplet exciton condensates. By constructing a phenomenological model, we showed that quantum fluctuations of excitons are crucial for the field-induced successive transitions. The spin-triplet exciton condensation in a cobaltite, which is three-dimensional and thermally equilibrated, opens up a novel venue for spintronics technologies with spin-supercurrent such as a spin Josephson junction.

Miniaturized double transit magnetic field measurement probe using the Faraday rotation principle

This paper presents the design and experimental results of a double transit magnetic field measurement probe based on the Faraday rotation principle using terbium doped borosilicate glass as a sensor element. When the magnetic field is applied in the direction of propagation of light through the glass, the Faraday effect produces non-reciprocal circular birefringence. This property of the Faraday effect adds rotations when the light beam is reflected using a mirror placed at the other end of the glass and passed through the glass, making double transit of light through the sensor element. Experiments were carried out to verify the characteristics of the designed probe by inserting it inside the solenoid load coil. The Verdet constant of the glass is determined using the slope of the linear least-squares fitted curve between the Faraday rotation angle and the applied magnetic field, obtained as 89.22r a d/(T⋅m) with a relative uncertainty of 2.43%. The magnetic field was measured with 0.28% accuracy. In the optics experiments, alignment of components is the major task. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first of its kind double transit miniaturized magnetic field measurement probe configuration in which components are aligned inside the single probe structure. The probe is easily portable and can be used in inaccessible locations in various applications such as accelerators, Z/θ pinch devices, or fusion reactors such as tokamaks, in which the magnetic field is one of the main parameters.

Kilotesla plasmoid formation by a trapped relativistic laser beam

A strong quasistationary magnetic field is generated in hollow targets with curved internal surface under the action of a relativistically intense picosecond laser pulse. Experimental data evidence the formation of quasistationary strongly magnetized plasma structures decaying on a hundred picoseconds timescale, with the magnetic field strength of the kilotesla scale. Numerical simulations unravel the importance of transient processes during the magnetic field generation and suggest the existence of fast and slow regimes of plasmoid evolution depending on the interaction parameters. The proposed setup is suited for perspective highly magnetized plasma application and fundamental studies.

Laser cluster interaction in ambient magnetic fields for accelerating electrons in two stages without external injection

In the few-cycle pulse regime of laser-cluster interaction (intensity [Formula: see text], wavelength [Formula: see text] nm), laser absorption is mostly collisionless and may happen via anharmonic resonance (AHR) process in the overdense (cluster) plasma potential. Many experiments, theory and simulation show average absorbed energy per cluster-electron ([Formula: see text]) close to the electron's ponderomotive energy ([Formula: see text]) in the collisionless regime. In this work, by simple rigid sphere model (RSM) and detailed particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation, we show enhanced [Formula: see text] 30-70[Formula: see text]-a 15-30 fold increase-with an external (crossed) magnetic field near the electron-cyclotron resonance (ECR). Due to relativistic mass increase, electrons quickly deviate from the standard (non-relativistic) ECR, but time-dependent relativistic-ECR (RECR) happens which also contributes to enhanced [Formula: see text]. Here laser is coupled to electrons in two stages, i.e, AHR and ECR/RECR. To probe further we retrieve the phase-difference [Formula: see text] between the driving electric field and corresponding velocity component for each electron (in PIC and RSM). We find absorption by electron via AHR happens in a very short interval [Formula: see text] for less than half a laser period where [Formula: see text] remains close to [Formula: see text] (necessary condition for maximum laser absorption) and then [Formula: see text] drops to its initial [Formula: see text] (meaning no absorption) after such short-lived AHR. On the contrary, auxiliary magnetic field near the ECR modifies AHR scenario inside the cluster and also helps maintaining the required phase [Formula: see text] for the liberated cluster-electron accompanied by frequency matching for ECR/RECR for a prolonged [Formula: see text] (which covers 50-60% of the laser pulse through pulse maxima) even after AHR-leading to jump in [Formula: see text] 30-70[Formula: see text]. We note that to realize the second stage of enhanced energy coupling via ECR/RECR, the first stage via AHR is necessary.

Mode conversion and laser energy absorption by plasma under an inhomogeneous external magnetic field

The interaction of a high-frequency laser with plasma in the presence of an inhomogeneous external magnetic field has been studied here with the help of particle-in-cell simulations. It has been shown that the laser enters the plasma as an extraordinary wave (X-wave), where the electric field of the wave oscillates perpendicular to both the external magnetic field and propagation direction and as it travels through the plasma, its dispersion property changes due to the inhomogeneity of the externally applied magnetic field. Our study shows that the X-wave's electromagnetic energy is converted to an electrostatic mode as it encounters the upper-hybrid (UH) resonance layer. In the later stage of the evolution, this electrostatic wave breaks and converts its energy to electron kinetic energy. Our study reveals two additional processes involved in decay of the electrostatic mode at the UH resonance layer. We have shown that the energy of the electrostatic mode at the upper-hybrid resonance layer also converts to a low-frequency lower-hybrid mode and high-frequency electromagnetic harmonic radiations. The dependence of energy conversion processes on the gradient of the external magnetic field has also been studied and analyzed.

Terahertz Pulse Generation by Strongly Magnetized, Laser-Created Plasmas

Relativistic interactions between ultraintense (>10^{18}  W cm^{-2}) laser pulses and magnetized underdense plasmas are known to produce few-cycle Cerenkov wake radiation in the terahertz (THz) domain. Using multidimensional particle-in-cell simulations, we demonstrate the possibility of generating high-field (>100  GV m^{-1}) THz bursts from helium gas plasmas embedded in strong (>100  T) magnetic fields perpendicular to the laser path. We show that two criteria must be satisfied for efficient THz generation. First, the plasma density should be adjusted to the laser pulse duration for a strong resonant excitation of the electromagnetic plasma wake. Second, in order to mitigate the damping of the transverse wake component across the density gradients at the plasma exit, the ratio of the relativistic electron cyclotron and plasma frequencies must be chosen slightly above unity, but not too large, lest the wake be degraded. Such conditions lead the outgoing THz wave to surpass in amplitude the electrostatic wakefield induced in a similar, yet unmagnetized plasma.

Magnetic field amplification driven by the gyro motion of charged particles

Spontaneous magnetic field generation plays important role in laser-plasma interactions. Strong quasi-static magnetic fields affect the thermal conductivity and the plasma dynamics, particularly in the case of ultra intense laser where the magnetic part of Lorentz force becomes as significant as the electric part. Kinetic simulations of giga-gauss magnetic field amplification via a laser irradiated microtube structure reveal the dynamics of charged particle implosions and the mechanism of magnetic field growth. A giga-gauss magnetic field is generated and amplified with the opposite polarity to the seed magnetic field. The spot size of the field is comparable to the laser wavelength, and the lifetime is hundreds of femtoseconds. An analytical model is presented to explain the underlying physics. This study should aid in designing future experiments.

Magnetoconduction in the Correlated Semiconductor FeSi in Ultrastrong Magnetic Fields up to a Semiconductor-to-Metal Transition

Magnetoresistance of the correlated narrow-gap semiconductor FeSi was investigated by the radio frequency self-resonant spiral coil technique in magnetic fields up to 500 T, which is supplied by an electromagnetic flux compression megagauss generator. Semiconductor-to-metal transition accomplishes around 270 T observed as a sharp kink in the magnetoresistance, which implies the closing of the hybridization gap by the Zeeman shift of band edges. In the temperature-magnetic field phase diagram, the semiconductor-metal transition field is found to be almost independent of temperature, which is in contrast to a characteristic magnetic field associated with the hopping magnetoconduction in the in-gap localized states, exhibiting a notable temperature dependence.

Generation and collective interaction of giant magnetic dipoles in laser cluster plasma

Interaction of circularly polarized laser pulses with spherical nano-droplets generates nanometer-size magnets with lifetime on the order of hundreds of femtoseconds. Such magnetic dipoles are close enough in a cluster target and magnetic interaction takes place. We investigate such system of several magnetic dipoles and describe their rotation in the framework of Lagrangian formalism. The semi-analytical results are compared to particle-in-cell simulations, which confirm the theoretically obtained terrahertz frequency of the dipole oscillation.

Electromagnetic wave transparency of X mode in strongly magnetized plasma

An electromagnetic (EM) pulse falling on a plasma medium from vacuum can either reflect, get absorbed or propagate inside the plasma depending on whether it is overdense or underdense. In a magnetized plasma, however, there are usually several pass and stop bands for the EM wave depending on the orientation of the magnetic field with respect to the propagation direction. The EM wave while propagating in a plasma can also excite electrostatic disturbances in the plasma. In this work Particle-In-Cell simulations have been carried out to illustrate the complete transparency of the EM wave propagation inside a strongly magnetized plasma. The external magnetic field is chosen to be perpendicular to both the wave propagation direction and the electric field of the EM wave, which is the X mode configuration. Despite the presence of charged electron and ion species the plasma medium behaves like a vacuum. The observation is understood with the help of particle drifts. It is shown that though the two particle species move under the influence of EM fields their motion does not lead to any charge or current source to alter the dispersion relation of the EM wave propagating in the medium. Furthermore, it is also shown that the stop band for EM wave in this regime shrinks to a zero width as both the resonance and cut-off points approach each other. Thus, transparency to the EM radiation in such a strongly magnetized case appears to be a norm.

Ab Initio molecular dynamics with screened Lorentz forces. II. Efficient propagators and rovibrational spectra in strong magnetic fields

Strong magnetic fields have a large impact on the dynamics of molecules. In addition to the changes in the electronic structure, the nuclei are exposed to the Lorentz force with the magnetic field being screened by the electrons. In this work, we explore these effects using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations based on an effective Hamiltonian calculated at the Hartree-Fock level of theory. To correctly include these non-conservative forces in the dynamics, we have designed a series of novel propagators that show both good efficiency and stability in test cases. As a first application, we analyze simulations of He and H₂ at two field strengths characteristic of magnetic white dwarfs (0.1 B₀ = 2.35 × 10⁴ T and B₀ = 2.35 × 10⁵ T). While the He simulations clearly demonstrate the importance of electron screening of the Lorentz force in the dynamics, the extracted rovibrational spectra of H₂ reveal a number of fascinating features not observed in the field-free case: couplings of rotations/vibrations with the cyclotron rotation, overtones with unusual selection rules, and hindered rotations that transmute into librations with increasing field strength. We conclude that our presented framework is a powerful tool to investigate molecules in these extreme environments.

High-resolution calorimetry in pulsed magnetic fields

We have developed a new calorimeter for measuring the thermodynamic properties in pulsed magnetic fields. Instrumental design is described along with the instrument construction details, including the sensitivity of a RuO₂ thermometer. Operation of the calorimeter is demonstrated by measuring the heat capacity of three samples: pure germanium, CeCu₂Ge₂, and κ-(BEDT-TTF)₂Cu[N(CN)₂]Br, in pulsed fields up to 43.5 T. Obtaining field stability is key in measuring high-resolution heat capacity under pulsed fields. We also examine the performance of the calorimeter by employing two measurement techniques: the quasi-adiabatic and dual-slope techniques. We demonstrate that the calorimeter developed in this study is capable of performing high-resolution calorimetry in pulsed magnetic fields, which opens the door to new opportunities for high-field thermodynamic studies.

Higher magnetic-field generation by a mass-loaded single-turn coil

Single-turn coil (STC) technique is a convenient way to generate ultrahigh magnetic fields of more than 100 T. During the field generation, the STC explosively destructs outward due to the Maxwell stress and Joule heating. Unfortunately, the STC does not work at its full potential because it has already expanded when the maximum magnetic field is reached. Here, we propose an easy way to delay the expansion and increase the maximum field by using a mass-loaded STC. By loading clay on the STC, the field profile drastically changes, and the maximum field increases by 4%. This method offers access to higher magnetic fields for physical property measurements.

Compact megajoule-class pulsed power supply for generating long-pulsed magnetic fields

A pulsed power supply with a compact and low-cost electric-double-layer-capacitor (EDLC) is developed for generating pulsed magnetic fields with a long pulse duration of a few seconds. The system is demonstrated in three experimental setups using a 10.7 F- or 50 F-EDLC capacitor bank. By using the 10.7 F-EDLC capacitor bank with a 27 mm wide-bore magnet, the pulsed magnetic field with a peak field strength of 24.3 T and a pulse duration of ∼1 s is generated. The field profiles are reproduced in the theoretical calculations taking Joule heating into account. The calculations are also used to discuss possible variations of the field profile for future investigations.

Modulation of the Cell Membrane Potential and Intracellular Protein Transport by High Magnetic Fields

To explore cellular responses to high magnetic fields (HMF), we present a model of the interactions of cells with a homogeneous HMF that accounts for the magnetic force exerted on paramagnetic/diamagnetic species. There are various chemical species inside a living cell, many of which may have large concentration gradients. Thus, when an HMF is applied to a cell, the concentration-gradient magnetic forces act on paramagnetic or diamagnetic species and can either assist or oppose large particle movement through the cytoplasm. We demonstrate possibilities for changing the machinery in living cells with HMFs and predict two new mechanisms for modulating cellular functions with HMFs via (i) changes in the membrane potential and (ii) magnetically assisted intracellular diffusiophoresis of large proteins. By deriving a generalized form for the Nernst equation, we find that an HMF can change the membrane potential of the cell and thus have a significant impact on the properties and biological functionality of cells. The elaborated model provides a universal framework encompassing current studies on controlling cell functions by high static magnetic fields. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021;42:27-36. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Generation of megatesla magnetic fields by intense-laser-driven microtube implosions

A microtube implosion driven by ultraintense laser pulses is used to produce ultrahigh magnetic fields. Due to the laser-produced hot electrons with energies of mega-electron volts, cold ions in the inner wall surface implode towards the central axis. By pre-seeding uniform magnetic fields on the kilotesla order, the Lorenz force induces the Larmor gyromotion of the imploding ions and electrons. Due to the resultant collective motion of relativistic charged particles around the central axis, strong spin current densities of \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\sim$$\end{document}∼ peta-ampere/\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\hbox {cm}^{2}$$\end{document}cm2 are produced with a few tens of nm size, generating megatesla-order magnetic fields. The underlying physics and important scaling are revealed by particle simulations and a simple analytical model. The concept holds promise to open new frontiers in many branches of fundamental physics and applications in terms of ultrahigh magnetic fields.

Magnetic-field-induced insulator-metal transition in W-doped VO2 at 500 T

Metal–insulator (MI) transitions in correlated electron systems have long been a central and controversial issue in material science. Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) exhibits a first-order MI transition at 340 K. For more than half a century, it has been debated whether electron correlation or the structural instability due to dimerised V ions is the more essential driving force behind this MI transition. Here, we show that an ultrahigh magnetic field of 500 T renders the insulator phase of tungsten (W)-doped VO₂ metallic. The spin Zeeman effect on the d electrons of the V ions dissociates the dimers in the insulating phase, resulting in the delocalisation of electrons. As the Mott–Hubbard gap essentially does not depend on the spin degree of freedom, the structural instability is likely to be the more essential driving force behind the MI transition.

Vanadium dioxide exhibits a metal-insulator (MI) transition. The mechanism driving this behaviour has long been a subject of debate. Here, the authors show that the MI transition in heavily doped vanadium dioxide can be driven by a magnetic field, suggesting the MI transition is due to structural instability.

Uniform warm dense matter formed by direct laser heating in the presence of external magnetic fields

With the recent realization of kilotesla quasistatic magnetic fields, the interaction of a laser with magnetized solids enters an unexplored new regime. In particular, a circularly polarized (CP) laser pulse may propagate in a highly magnetized plasma of any high density without encountering cutoff reflection in the whistler mode. With this, we propose a scheme for producing uniform warm dense matter (WDM) by direct laser heating with a CP laser irradiating onto the target along the magnetic field. It is shown by particle-in-cell simulations, which include advanced ionization dynamics and collision dynamics, moderately intense right-hand CP laser light at 10^{15}W/cm^{2} can propagate in solid aluminum and heat it efficiently to the 100 eV level within picoseconds. By using two laser pulses irradiating from two sides of a thin solid target, uniform heating to WDM can be achieved. This provides a controllable way to create WDM at different temperatures.

Direct measurement of resistivity in destructive pulsed magnetic fields

A simple method for measuring electrical resistivity under destructive pulsed magnetic fields is presented. This method uses pick-up voltage as the power source to allow the measurement of the absolute value of resistivity in ultra-high magnetic fields above 100 T. The experimental setup and its operation are described in detail, and its performance is demonstrated using critical field measurements of thin-film FeSe_0.5Te_0.5 samples. Possible scientific applications of this setup in high magnetic fields as well as in any other environment with a high field sweep rate are also discussed.

Bonding in the helium dimer in strong magnetic fields: the role of spin and angular momentum

Investigation of the electronic spectra and novel bonding mechanisms in helium dimers in strong magnetic fields.

Mirror-image magnetic circularly polarized luminescence (MCPL) from optically inactive EuIII and TbIIItris(β-diketonate)

Five optically inactive Eu^III and Tb^III complexes with achiral organic ligands revealed north-up/south-up magnet geometry dependent mirror-image magnetic circularly polarized luminescence in solutions, in films and bulk powder under 1.6 Tesla.