Interaction of a Laser‐Blowoff Plasma with a Strong Transverse Magnetic Field

摘要

The interaction of laser‐blowoff metal plasmas with transverse magnetic fields in the 100‐kG range has been studied, the magnetic field being generated by a simple line current. Under these conditions it was found that the plasma crossed the field by means of an electrical polarization and E×B drift. An observed velocity reduction at fields greater than 10 kG has been attributed to an inhibiting effect of the magnetic field on the normal ambipolar energy transfer between electrons and ions in the expansion of laser‐blowoff plasmas.