Could megatesla magnetic fields be realized on Earth?

Date:
October 6, 2020
Source:
Osaka University
Summary:
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism called a 'microtube
implosion,' demonstrating the generation of megatesla-order magnetic
fields, which is three orders of magnitude higher than those ever
experimentally achieved. The underlying physics was revealed
by particle simulations using a supercomputer. Their promising
findings will open new frontiers in many branches of fundamental
physics and applications involving ultrahigh magnetic fields.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Magnetic fields are used in various areas of modern physics and
engineering, with practical applications ranging from doorbells to maglev trains. Since Nikola Tesla's discoveries in the 19th century, researchers
have strived to realize strong magnetic fields in laboratories for
fundamental studies and diverse applications, but the magnetic strength
of familiar examples are relatively weak. Geomagnetism is 0.3-0.5 gauss
(G) and magnetic tomography (MRI) used in hospitals is about 1 tesla
(T = 104 G). By contrast, future magnetic fusion and maglev trains will
require magnetic fields on the kilotesla (kT = 107 G) order. To date,
the highest magnetic fields experimentally observed are on the kT order.


========================================================================== Recently, scientists at Osaka University discovered a novel mechanism
called a "microtube implosion," and demonstrated the generation of
megatesla (MT = 1010G) order magnetic fields via particle simulations
using a supercomputer.

Astonishingly, this is three orders of magnitude higher than what has
ever been achieved in a laboratory. Such high magnetic fields are expected
only in celestial bodies like neutron stars and black holes.

Irradiating a tiny plastic microtube one-tenth the thickness of a human
hair by ultraintense laser pulses produces hot electrons with temperatures
of tens of billion of degrees. These hot electrons, along with cold ions, expand into the microtube cavity at velocities approaching the speed of
light. Pre-seeding with a kT-order magnetic field causes the imploding
charged particles infinitesimally twisted due to Lorenz force. Such a
unique cylindrical flow collectively produces unprecedentedly high spin currents of about 1015 ampere/ cm2 on the target axis and consequently, generates ultrahigh magnetic fields on the MT order.

The study conducted by Masakatsu Murakami and colleagues has confirmed
that current laser technology can realize MT-order magnetic fields based
on the concept. The present concept for generating MT-order magnetic
fields will lead to pioneering fundamental research in numerous
areas, including materials science, quantum electrodynamics (QED),
and astrophysics, as well as other cutting-edge practical applications.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Osaka_University. Note: Content may
be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. M. Murakami, J. J. Honrubia, K. Weichman, A. V. Arefiev,
S. V. Bulanov.

Generation of megatesla magnetic fields by intense-laser-driven
microtube implosions. Scientific Reports, 2020; 10 (1) DOI:
10.1038/s41598-020- 73581-4 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201006114229.htm

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