arXiv subjects

T. Sano

Publications and source records attributed to T. Sano.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Characterizing the temporal evolution of Biermann-battery-driven magnetic reconnection in laser-ablated plasmas

This paper presents an experimental investigation of magnetic reconnection between two laser-produced expanding plasmas, focusing on the quantitative evaluation of the reconnection rate and energy conversion under varying initial conditions. By changing the separation distance between the drive laser focal spots (1 mm and 2 mm), we systematically controlled the inflow parameters. The reconnection region was probed using a two-directional laser Thomson scattering (LTS) system, which simultaneously measured the local plasma parameters parallel to the outflows and along the current sheet. Based on our established method incorporating macroscopic energy and mass conservation laws to derive the upstream magnetic field directly from LTS spectra, we characterized the temporal evolution of the current sheet and the reconnection rate. The larger spot separation allows the plasma bubbles to expand for a substantially longer time before the formation of a reconnection current sheet, resulting in different upstream conditions. Nevertheless, both configurations yielded comparable upstream magnetic fields and reconnection rates. These results suggest that the reconnection rate is relatively insensitive to the global inflow conditions and is primarily controlled by the local physics of the reconnection layer once a current sheet is formed.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2025

Relativistic multistage resonant and trailing-field acceleration induced by large-amplitude Alfv\'en waves in a strong magnetic field

We propose a particle acceleration mechanism driven by large-amplitude Alfv\'en waves in a strong magnetic field. The acceleration process proceeds through multiple stages triggered by counterpropagating wave-particle resonant acceleration (CWRA) via decay instability. Initially, parent and daughter Alfv\'en waves resonantly accelerate particles perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. The resultant modulational instability generates electrostatic fields within the wave packet, which are locally amplified by the ponderomotive force of the Alfv\'en wave packet. These fields subsequently drive further acceleration within a few relativistic gyroperiods via gyroresonant surfing acceleration (GRSA). During this, the v*B force facilitates momentum transfer from the perpendicular to the parallel direction. In the later stage, particles become trapped by the parent wave and gain additional energy through single wave resonant acceleration (SWRA). Furthermore, the accumulation of accelerated particles induces electrostatic trailing fields behind and at the tail of the wave packet, which drive trailing-field acceleration (TFA) of other electrons. The combined effects of these mechanisms, CWRA followed by GRSA and SWRA, result in highly relativistic electron energy. The electron energy accelerated through the above process is higher than that accelerated through TFA. This multistage acceleration process provides insights into the generation of high energy cosmic rays in astrophysical environments.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Laser-Driven Proton-Only Acceleration in a Multicomponent Near-Critical-Density Plasma

An experimental investigation of collisionless shock ion acceleration is presented using a multicomponent plasma and a high-intensity picosecond duration laser pulse. Protons are the only accelerated ions when a near-critical-density plasma is driven by a laser with a modest normalized vector potential. The results of particle-in-cell simulations imply that collisionless shock may accelerate protons alone selectively, which can be an important tool for understanding the physics of inaccessible collisionless shocks in space and astrophysical plasma.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Competition of magnetic reconnections in self-generated and external magnetic fields

We investigate the competition of magnetic reconnections in self-generated and external magnetic fields in laser-produced plasmas. The temporal evolution of plasma structures measured with self-emission imaging shows the vertical expansions and horizontal separation of plasma, which can be signatures of reconnection outflows in self-generated and external magnetic fields, respectively. Because the outflows in self-generated magnetic fields are not clear in the presence of the external magnetic field, the external magnetic field can suppress the magnetic reconnection in self-generated magnetic fields.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2023

Particle acceleration by counter-propagating circularly polarized Alfvén waves

Counterpropagating Alfvén waves are ubiquitously observed in many astrophysical environments, such as a star surface and a planetary foreshock. We discuss an efficient particle acceleration mechanism in two counterpropagating circularly polarized Alfvén waves. Phase transitions of particle behavior occur when wave amplitudes exceed two critical values. Above the critical amplitudes, the numerical simulation shows that any particles irreversibly gain relativistic energy within a short time regardless of their initial position and energy once the coherent waveform is formed. The accelerated particles have spatial coherence. Higher wave phase velocity requires smaller critical amplitudes, while the maximum attainable energy increases as the wavenumber and the frequency decrease. The results may be applicable in some astrophysical phenomena, as well as a future laboratory experiment using high-power lasers.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Electrical detection of antiferromagnetic dynamics in Gd-Co thin films by using a 154-GHz gyrotron irradiation

THz magnetization dynamics is a key property of antiferromagnets as well as ferrimagnets that could harness the THz forefront and spintronics. While most of the present THz measurement techniques are for bulk materials whose sensitivities rely on the volume of the material, measurement techniques suitable for thin films are quite limited. In this study, we explored and demonstrated electrical detection of the antiferromagnetic dynamics in ferrimagnetic Gd-Co thin films by using a 154 GHz gyrotron, a high-power electromagnetic wave source. Captured resonant modes allow us to characterize the peculiar magnetization dynamics of the Gd-Co around the net angular momentum compensation. As the gyrotron frequency is scalable up to THz, our demonstration can be an important milestone toward the THz measurements for antiferro- and ferri- magnetic thin films.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

High-power laser experiment forming a supercritical collisionless shock in a magnetized uniform plasma at rest

We present a new experimental method to generate quasi-perpendicular supercritical magnetized collisionless shocks. In our experiment, ambient nitrogen (N) plasma is at rest and well-magnetized, and it has uniform mass density. The plasma is pushed by laser-driven ablation aluminum (Al) plasma. Streaked optical pyrometry and spatially resolved laser collective Thomson scattering clarify structures of plasma density and temperatures, which are compared with one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. It is indicated that just after the laser irradiation, the Al plasma is magnetized by a self-generated Biermann battery field, and the plasma slaps the incident N plasma. The compressed external field in the N plasma reflects N ions, leading to counter-streaming magnetized N flows. Namely we identify the edge of the reflected N ions. Such interacting plasmas form a magnetized collisionless shock.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2021

Dynamics of ultrafast heated radiative plasmas driven by petawatt laser lights

A relativistic petawatt laser light can heat heavy metals over keV temperature isochorically and ionize them almost fully. Copious hard X-rays are emitted from the high-Z hot plasma which acts as X-ray sources, while they work as a cooling process of the plasma. The cooling process can affect on the creation of high energy density plasma via the interaction, however, the details are unknown. The X-ray spectrum depends on the plasma temperature, so that it is worthwhile to investigate the radiation cooling effects. We here study the isochoric heating of a solid silver foil irradiated by relativistic laser lights with a help of particle-in-cell simulations including Coulomb collisions, ionizations, and radiation processes. We have conducted a parameter survey varying laser intensity, $10^{18-20}\,\rm{W/cm^2}$, to check the cooling effects while keeping the incident laser energy constant. The silver plasma heated mainly by the resistive heating dissipates its energy by keV X-ray emissions in a picosecond time scale. The radiation power from the silver foil is found to be comparable to the incident laser power when the laser intensity is less than $10^{19}\,{\rm W/cm^2}$ under the constant energy situation. The evolution of the plasma energy density inside the target is then suppressed, due to which a highly compressed collisional shock is formed at the target surface and propagates into the plasma. The radiation spectra of the keV silver plasma are also demonstrated.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2019

Anomalous plasma acceleration in colliding high-power laser-produced plasmas

We developed an experimental platform for studying magnetic reconnection in an external magnetic field with simultaneous measurements of plasma imaging, flow velocity, and magnetic-field variation. Here, we investigate the stagnation and acceleration in counter-streaming plasmas generated by high-power laser beams. A plasma flow perpendicular to the initial flow directions is measured with laser Thomson scattering. The flow is, interestingly, accelerated toward the high-density region, which is opposite to the direction of the acceleration by pressure gradients. This acceleration is possibly interpreted by the interaction of two magnetic field loops initially generated by Biermann battery effect, resulting in a magnetic reconnection forming a single field loop and additional acceleration by a magnetic tension force.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2019

Full particle-in-cell simulation of the interaction between two plasmas for laboratory experiments on the generation of magnetized collisionless shocks with high-power lasers

A preliminary numerical experiment is conducted for laboratory experiments on the generation of magnetized collisionless shocks with high-power lasers by using one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation. The present study deals with the interaction between a moving Aluminum plasma and a Nitrogen plasma at rest. In the numerical experiment, the Nitrogen plasma is unmagnetized or magnetized by a weak external magnetic field. Since the previous study suggested the generation of spontaneous magnetic field in the piston (Aluminum) plasma due to the Biermann battery, the effect of the magnetic field is of interest. Sharp jumps of electron density and magnetic field are observed around the interface between the two plasmas as long as one of the two plasmas is magnetized, which indicates the formation of tangential electron-magneto-hydro-dynamic discontinuity. When the Aluminum plasma is magnetized, strong compression of both density and magnetic field takes place in the pure Aluminum plasma during the gyration of Nitrogen ions in the Aluminum plasma region. The formation of a shock downstream is indicated from the shock jump condition. The result suggests that the spontaneous magnetic field in the piston (Aluminum) plasma plays an essential role in the formation of a perpendicular collisionless shock.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2018

Equation of state and optical properties of shock-compressed C:H:N:O molecular mixtures

Water, ethanol, and ammonia are the key components of the mantles of Uranus and Neptune. To improve structure and evolution models and give an explanation of the magnetic fields and luminosities of the icy giants, those components need to be characterised at planetary conditions (some Mbar and a few $10^3$ K). Those conditions are typical of the Warm Dense Matter regime, which exhibits a rich phase diagram, with the coexistence of many states of matter and a large variety of chemical processes. H$_2$O, C:H:O, and C:H:N:O mixtures have been compressed up to 2.8 Mbar along the principal Hugoniot using laser-driven decaying shocks. The experiments were performed at the GEKKO XII and LULI 2000 laser facilities using standard optical diagnostics (Doppler velocimetry and pyrometry) to characterise equation of state and optical reflectivity of the shocked states. The results show that H$_2$O and the C:H:N:O mixture share the same equation of state with a density scaling, while the reflectivity behaves differently by what concerns both the onset pressures and the saturation values. The reflectivity measurement at two frequencies allows to estimate the conductivity and the complex refractive index using a Drude model.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2018

Laboratory radiative accretion shocks on GEKKO XII laser facility for POLAR project

A new target design is presented to model high-energy radiative accretion shocks in polars. In this paper, we present the experimental results obtained on the GEKKO XII laser facility for the POLAR project. The experimental results are compared with 2D FCI2 simulations to characterize the dynamics and the structure of plasma flow before and after the collision. The good agreement between simulations and experimental data confirm the formation of a reverse shock where cooling losses start modifying the post-shock region. With the multi-material structure of the target, a hydrodynamic collimation is exhibited and a radiative structure coupled with the reverse shock is highlighted in both experimental data and simulations. The flexibility on the laser energy produced on GEKKO XII, allowed us to produce high-velocity flows and study new and interesting radiation hydrodynamic regimes between those obtained on the LULI2000 and Orion laser facilities.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Decaying shock studies of phase transitions in MgOSiO2 systems: implications for the Super-Earths interiors

We report an experimental study of the phase diagrams of periclase (MgO), enstatite (MgSiO3) and forsterite (Mg2SiO4) at high pressures. We investigated with laser driven decaying shocks the pressure/temperature curves of MgO, MgSiO3 and Mg2SiO4 between 0.2-1.2 TPa, 0.12-0.5 TPa and 0.2-0.85 TPa respectively. A melting signature has been observed in MgO at 0.47 TPa and 9860 K, while no phase changes were observed neither in MgSiO3 nor in Mg2SiO4. An increasing of reflectivity of MgO, MgSiO3 and Mg2SiO4 liquids have been detected at 0.55 TPa -12 760 K, 0.15 TPa - 7540 K, 0.2 TPa - 5800 K, respectively. In contrast to SiO2, melting and metallization of these compounds do not coincide implying the presence of poor electrically conducting liquids close to the melting lines. This has important implications for the generation of dynamos in Super-earths mantles.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2014

Magnetic Coupling in the Disks Around Young Gas Giant Planets

We examine the conditions under which the disks of gas and dust orbiting young gas giant planets are sufficiently conducting to experience turbulence driven by the magneto-rotational instability. By modeling the ionization and conductivity in the disk around proto-Jupiter, we find that turbulence is possible if the X-rays emitted near the Sun reach the planet's vicinity and either (1) the gas surface densities are in the range of the minimum-mass models constructed by augmenting Jupiter's satellites to Solar composition, while dust is depleted from the disk atmosphere, or (2) the surface densities are much less, and in the range of gas-starved models fed with material from the Solar nebula, but not so low that ambipolar diffusion decouples the neutral gas from the plasma. The results lend support to both minimum-mass and gas-starved models of the protojovian disk: (1) The dusty minimum-mass models have internal conductivities low enough to prevent angular momentum transfer by magnetic forces, as required for the material to remain in place while the satellites form. (2) The gas-starved models have magnetically-active surface layers and a decoupled interior "dead zone". Similar active layers in the Solar nebula yield accretion stresses in the range assumed in constructing the circumjovian gas-starved models. Our results also point to aspects of both classes of models that can be further developed. Non-turbulent minimum-mass models will lose dust from their atmospheres by settling, enabling gas to accrete through a thin surface layer. For the gas-starved models it is crucial to learn whether enough stellar X-ray and ultraviolet photons reach the circumjovian disk. Additionally the stress-to-pressure ratio ought to increase with distance from the planet, likely leading to episodic accretion outbursts.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2013

Hybrid Monte Carlo on Lefschetz Thimbles -- A study of the residual sign problem

We consider a hybrid Monte Carlo algorithm which is applicable to lattice theories defined on Lefschetz thimbles. In the algorithm, any point (field configuration) on a thimble is parametrized uniquely by the flow-direction and the flow-time defined at a certain asymptotic region close to the critical point, and it is generated by solving the gradient flow equation downward. The associated complete set of tangent vectors is also generated in the same manner. Molecular dynamics is then formulated as a constrained dynamical system, where the equations of motion with Lagrange multipliers are solved by the second-order constraint-preserving symmetric integrator. The algorithm is tested in the lambda phi^4 model at finite density, by choosing the thimbles associated with the classical vacua for subcritical and supercritical values of chemical potential. For the lattice size L=4, we find that the residual sign factors average to not less than 0.99 and are safely included by reweighting and that the results of the number density are consistent with those obtained by the complex Langevin simulations.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2012

Local Simulations of the Magneto-rotational Instability in Core-Collapse Supernovae

Bearing in mind the application to core-collapse supernovae, we study nonlinear properties of the magneto-rotational instability (MRI) by means of three- dimensional simulations in the framework of a local shearing box approximation. By changing systematically the shear rates that symbolize the degree of differential rotation in nascent proto-neutron stars (PNSs), we derive a scaling relation between the turbulent stress sustained by the MRI and the shear- vorticity ratio. Our parametric survey shows a power-law scaling between the turbulent stress ($<< w_{\rm tot}>>$) and the shear- vorticity ratio ($g_q$) as $< > \propto g_q^δ$ with its index $δ\sim 0.5$. The MRI-amplified magnetic energy has a similar scaling relative to the turbulent stress, while the Maxwell stress has slightly smaller power-law index ($\sim 0.36$). By modeling the effect of viscous heating rates due to the MRI turbulence, we show that the stronger magnetic fields or the larger shear rates initially imposed lead to the higher dissipation rates. For a rapidly rotating PNS with the spin period in milliseconds and with strong magnetic fields of $10^{15}$ G, the energy dissipation rate is estimated to exceed $10^{51} {\rm erg\ sec^{-1}}$. Our results suggest that the conventional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) mechanism of core-collapse supernovae is likely to be affected by the MRI-driven turbulence, which we speculate, on one hand, could harm the MHD-driven explosions due to the dissipation of the shear rotational energy at the PNS surface, on the other hand the energy deposition there might be potentially favorable for the working of the neutrino-heating mechanism.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Random matrix model at nonzero chemical potentials with anomaly effects

Phase diagram of the chiral random matrix model with U(1)A breaking term is studied with the quark chemical potentials varied independently at zero temperature, by taking the chiral and meson condensates as the order parameters. Although, without the U(1)A breaking term, chiral transition of each flavor can happen separately responding to its chemical potential, the U(1)A breaking terms mix the chiral condensates and correlate the phase transitions. In the three flavor case, we find that there are mixings between the meson and chiral condensates due to the U(1)A anomaly, which makes the meson condensed phase more stable. Increasing the hypercharge chemical potential ($μ_Y$) with the isospin and quark chemical potentials ($μ_I$, $μ_q$) kept small, we observe that the kaon condensed phase becomes the ground state and at the larger $μ_Y$ the pion condense phase appears unexpectedly, which is caused by the competition between the chiral restoration and the meson condensation. The similar happens when $μ_Y$ and $μ_I$ are exchanged, and the kaon condensed phase becomes the ground state at larger $μ_I$ below the full chiral restoration.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Laser-Shock Compression and Hugoniot Measurements of Liquid Hydrogen to 55 GPa

The principal Hugoniot for liquid hydrogen was obtained up to 55 GPa under laser-driven shock loading. Pressure and density of compressed hydrogen were determined by impedance-matching to a quartz standard. The shock temperature was independently measured from the brightness of the shock front. Hugoniot data of hydrogen provide a good benchmark to modern theories of condensed matter. The initial number density of liquid hydrogen is lower than that for liquid deuterium, and this results in shock compressed hydrogen having a higher compression and higher temperature than deuterium at the same shock pressure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗