Diagnostics, modeling and applications of magnetized jet creation using a ring of laser beams*

Using 20 OMEGA laser beams in a hollow ring configuration to irradiate a flat plastic target, we created supersonic, well collimated plasma jets with self-generated megagauss magnetic fields. The jet was diagnosed by optical Thomson scattering, X-ray framing camera and proton radiography. Three dimensional FLASH MHD modeling is carried out to interpret the experimentally created jets. Multiple axially aligned magnetic flux ropes with alternating poloidal component was predicted and observed. The jets we created have a number of unique properties that will allow us to study important actrophyical physical processes and the effects of anisotropic heat conduction.