Resonant shadowgraph and schlieren studies of magnetized laser-produced plasmas

Resonant shadowgraph and schlieren techniques provide instantaneous photographs of a laser-produced barium plasma flowing across a transverse magnetic field. The field is seen to impose considerable structure upon the expanding plasma. The flow separates into several well-defined regions, according to velocity. The slow plasma component displays internal striations. These are interpreted as shock waves excited by plasma flow across the field.