Three-dimensional modeling of a plasma in a strong azimuthal magnetic field.

Three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations are able to model the generation of disk-shaped plasma, driven by laser ablation from a current-carrying rod in a pulsed-power machine producing azimuthal magnetic fields of 2-3 MG. The plasma at such extreme conditions is unique in that the parameter space for the plasma β and Hall parameter χ transition from below unity to greater than unity at different stages of the plasma generation. In simulations, the formation of the plasma disk in the azimuthal direction is driven by heat flux from the laser spot and depends on the set of transport coefficients used in simulations.