Capture of a dipolar magnetic field by laser-produced plasma

We describe an experiment on the interaction of a dipolar magnetic field with the laser plasma flow produced inside of a laboratory magnetosphere. This interaction is found to exhibit two dynamic stages: after a prompt displacement of the dipole field by the laser plasma, the magnetic field is captured and carried outside of the magnetosphere. The resultant data confirm the results of previous measurements carried out far beyond the magnetosphere and provide additional information about the new process of capturing the dipolar magnetic field by the internal magnetospheric plasma flow.