(a) Schematic view of the EMFC megagauss generator. (b) Cross section of (a). (c) Copper-lined primary coil and a pair of seed field coils. Source: AIP Publishing LLCUltra-high magnetic fields open new opportunities for insights into material science and may enhance understanding of solid-state physics. In pursuit of such science, researchers at the University of Tokyo have produced the largest magnetic field ever generated indoors — 1,200 T.

This peak field was generated by the electromagnetic flux-compression (EMFC) technique with a new megagauss generator system. The field was measured by a reflection-type Faraday rotation probe using an optical fiber. The achievement also has implications for plasma fusion reactors, since sustaining fusion reactions may require magnetic field strengths of 1,000 T or more.

The 1,200 T field strength is about 400 times higher than those generated by the powerful magnets used in hospital MRI machines, and it is about 50 million times stronger than the Earth's own magnetic field.

Details of the research are published in Review of Scientific Instruments.