Analysis of exploding plasma behavior in a dipole magnetic field

Numerical analyses on plasma behaviors in a dipole magnetic field are perfo rmed using a three-dimensional (3D) hybrid code. Results are compared with the experimental data and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) analysis, Dependence o f plasma expansion on initial plasma energy and location are discussed by t emporal evolutions of plasma position and magnetic field strength. An overa ll good agreement in the expansion behavior of plasmas among these results is found. The asymmetrical shape of the expanding plasma in the cross-field direction is also noticed, and the reason for this is discussed. For futur e engineering applications, these results will be useful in designing an op timal configuration of the magnetic thrust chamber for laser fusion rockets , and fur studying the effective explosive methods for protecting the earth from collisions by asteroids or comets.