BEHAVIOR OF EXPANDING LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA IN A MAGNETIC-FIELD

Characteristics of a laser produced plasma expanding across an externa lly applied magnetic held (0.6 T) have been reported. Two to three tim es enhancement in X-ray emission from copper plasma has been observed for the laser intensity range similar to 5 x 10(11)-5 x 10(12) W/cm(2) . The X-ray yield has been found to increase with an increase in the m agnetic field intensity. Enhancement in X-ray emission is correlated w ith confinement of an expanding plasma in an external magnetic field. Generation of fluid instability has been found at the expanding plasma surfaces where the kinetic pressure of the plasma equals the magnetic pressure.