TIME EVOLUTION of KELVIN-HELMHOLTZ VORTICES ASSOCIATED with COLLISIONLESS SHOCKS in LASER-PRODUCED PLASMAS

Y. Kuramitsu, A. Mizuta, Y. Sakawa, H. Tanji, T. Ide, T. Sano, M. Koenig, A. Ravasio, A. Pelka, H. Takabe, C. D. Gregory, N. Woolsey, T. Moritaka, S. Matsukiyo, Y. Matsumoto, N. Ohnishi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We report experimental results on Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability and resultant vortices in laser-produced plasmas. By irradiating a double plane target with a laser beam, asymmetric counterstreaming plasmas are created. The interaction of the plasmas with different velocities and densities results in the formation of asymmetric shocks, where the shear flow exists along the contact surface and the KH instability is excited. We observe the spatial and temporal evolution of plasmas and shocks with time-resolved diagnostics over several shots. Our results clearly show the evolution of transverse fluctuations, wavelike structures, and circular features, which are interpreted as the KH instability and resultant vortices. The relevant numerical simulations demonstrate the time evolution of KH vortices and show qualitative agreement with experimental results. Shocks, and thus the contact surfaces, are ubiquitous in the universe; our experimental results show general consequences where two plasmas interact.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number93
    JournalAstrophysical Journal
    Volume828
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 10 2016

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
    • Space and Planetary Science

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'TIME EVOLUTION of KELVIN-HELMHOLTZ VORTICES ASSOCIATED with COLLISIONLESS SHOCKS in LASER-PRODUCED PLASMAS'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this