A 1hyphen;GW CO2laser pulse has been used to produce extended column breakdown of hydrogen at low pressure in a 20hyphen;cmhyphen;long solenoid. Magnetic fields of up to 110 kG were used to inhibit radial losses of the plasma column. A differential pumping scheme was devised to prevent formation of an opaque absorption wave travelling out of the solenoid back toward the focusing lens. Target burns give direct evidence for trapped laser beam propagation along the plasma column.
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