2-D Kinetic Simulations of Biermann-battery Magnetic Field Generation and Current Sheet Formation in High-Energy-Density Plasmas*

Magnetic reconnection is a ubiquitous process in astrophysical plasmas, and drives phenomena like galactic jets and solar flares. The Biermann battery effect generates magnetic fields due to non-collinearities in density and temperature gradients of a plasma. This effect is thought to be responsible for creating primordial magnetic fields and altering heat and energy transport, as well as reconnection rates. In a laser-produced plasma, strong density and temperature gradients generate large (~MG) Biermann fields that can collide with other laser-produced plasmas to undergo magnetic reconnection. Recent experiments at the NIF and OMEGA laser facilities provide a platform for such laboratory astrophysics studies.

Here, using the fully kinetic particle-in-cell (PIC) code PSC, we perform a 2-D simulation of magnetic reconnection with a first-principles laser-ray tracing module. We model an experiment at the NIF of two laser-generated plasma plumes in a magnetic reconnection geometry colliding and study the evolution of Biermann-battery magnetic fields and current sheet formation. Further analysis of the current sheet, where magnetic energy converts to bulk particle motion and thermal energy, are done to determine size, temperature, reconnection rate, and kinetic effects.