Formation of transient high-β plasmas in a magnetized, weakly collisional regime

We present experimental data providing evidence for the formation of transient ($\sim 20~\mu$s) plasmas that are simultaneously weakly magnetized (i.e., Hall magnetization parameter $\omega \tau > 1$) and dominated by thermal pressure ratio thermal-to-magnetic $\beta 1$). Particle collisional mean free paths an appreciable fraction overall system size. These formed via head-on merging two launched coaxial guns. The $\lambda_{gun}=\mu_0 I_{gun}/\psi_{gun}$ gun current $I_{gun}$ to applied magnetic flux $\psi_{gun}$ is knob exploring space $\beta$ \tau$. experiments were conducted on Big Red Ball at Wisconsin Plasma Physics Laboratory. such can potentially open up new regimes laboratory study collisional, magnetized, high-$\beta$ plasma physics; processes relevant astrophysical objects phenomena; novel targets magneto-inertial fusion.