Filamentation instability in two counter-streaming laser plasmas

The filamentation instability was observed in the interaction of two counter-streaming laser ablated plasma flows, which were supersonic, collisionless, and also closely relevant to astrophysical conditions. The plasma flows were created by irradiating a pair of oppositely standing plastic （CH） foils with Ins-pulsed laser beams of total energy of 1.7 kJ in two laser spots. With characteristics diagnosed in experiments, the calculated features of Weibel-type filaments are in good agreement with measurements.

激光等离子体模拟研究日地磁场活动特征

激光等离子体磁重联实验再现了卫星观测到的日地磁场活动特征。一方面,实验再现了太阳冕区物质抛射及耀斑结构,包括明亮的尖屋顶状环、具有微细结构的磁化等离子体团以及二者之间因为磁场拉扯而产生的二阶电流片。另一方面,实验发现存在三个电子扩散区(EDR),这与欧洲空间局Cluster卫星先后在2003年和2005年发现的分别处于地磁尾重联区中间部位及两侧分形线位置的两类EDR结构相似。所不同的是,在激光等离子体磁重联实验中,两类EDR在一次重联过程中产生,但中心EDR出现时间晚于两侧EDR,且其发展速度更快,喷流速度接近或者超过迎流Alfven速度。通过对太阳耀斑附近、地磁尾重联区以及激光等离子体自生磁场重联区位置等离子体的参数比较,显示三者在一定程度上具有Euler-Alfven相似性,这表明可以通过激光等离子体自生磁场的重联过程来研究其他两种等离子体中的磁重联现象。