Interaction of Plasmas with Pulsed Magnetic Fields: What Can We Learn from the Field Measurements?

Summary form only given. Time-dependent and spatially-resolved measurements of magnetic fields in plasmas under high-current pulses allow for studying fundamental problems in the propagation of magnetic-field fronts in plasmas and for obtaining bounds on the plasma conductivity. Measurements of magnetic fields in plasmas also allow for determining the current distribution in vacuum regions of pulsed-power systems. We review the development of spectroscopic diagnostic methods that were implemented in particle-beam diodes, plasma-containing transmission lines, and Z-pinches. Phenomena related to the role of the Hall electric field and the plasma conductivity, in systems where rapid magnetic-field penetration was observed were investigated. To this end, the electric-field distribution and the plasma dynamics were experimentally studied as well. Possible implications to phenomena in space will be discussed. Finally, we address a recently -developed method for measuring magnetic fields that is quasi-isotropic over the region viewed, and that was demonstrated experimentally for a laser-produced plasma under applied magnetic fields.