Powerful laser-plasma processes are explored to generate discharge currents of a few 100 kA in coil targets,
yielding magnetostatic fields (B-fields) in excess of 0
.
5 kT. The quasi-static currents are provided from hot
electron ejection from the laser-irradiated surface. According to our model, which describes the evolution of
the discharge current, the major control parameter is the laser irradiance
I
las
λ
2
las
. The space-time evolution
of the B-fields is experimentally characterized by high-frequency bandwidth B-dot probes and by proton-
deflectometry measurements. The magnetic pulses, of ns-scale, are long enough to magnetize secondary targets
through resistive diffusion. We applied it in experiments of laser-generated relativistic electron transport
through solid dielectric targets, yielding an unprecedented 5-fold enhancement of the energy-density flux at
60
μ
m depth, compared to unmagnetized transport conditions. These studies pave the ground for magnetized
high-energy density physics investigations, related to laser-generated secondary sources of radiation and/or
high-energy particles and their transport, to high-gain fusion energy schemes and to laboratory astrophysics.