Interaction of a Plasma Jet with a Magnetized Planar Obstacle*

The propagation of high velocity plasma-jets into transverse magnetic fields has applications to pulsed power and fusion, as well as astrophysical processes, e.g. pulsed jets and the interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere. In experiments at the Trident Laser Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory an Al plasma-jet propagated into a uniform, 4.5T, magnetic field produced by an electromagnet. The flow collided with a planar obstacle. Interferometry and Faraday rotation measured the path integrated electron density and magnetic field. Preliminary results from these diagnostics will be discussed.