Production of large volume, strongly magnetized laser-produced plasmas by use of pulsed external magnetic fields

The production of strongly magnetized laser plasmas, of interest for laboratory astrophysics and inertial confinement fusionstudies, is presented. This is achieved by coupling a 16 kV pulse-powersystem. This is achieved by coupling a 16 kV pulse-powersystem, which generates a magnetic field by means of a split coil, with the ELFIE laser facility at Ecole Polytechnique. In order to influence the plasma dynamics in a significant manner, the system can generate, repetitively and without debris, high amplitude magnetic fields (40 T) in a manner compatible with a high-energy laserenvironment. A description of the system and preliminary results demonstrating the possibility to magnetically collimate plasma jets are given.