Studies of spontaneous magnetic fields in laser-produced plasmas by Faraday rotation. Interim report

An extensive study has been made of the large magnetic fields in the plasma near the focus of a high irradiance Nd-laser beam. The dependence of the magnetic field on many experimental conditions is noted -- particularly timing and the presence of a pre-formed plasma. The data were obtained with a Raman-shifted, three-channel Faraday rotation diagnostic system. (Author)