Alignment dynamics in a laser-produced plasma

We observe the time evolution of ground-state ion alignment in a laser-produced plasma. Krypton ions produced in a strong, linearly polarized optical laser field (10(14)-10(15) W/cm(2)) are aligned along the field polarization axis. Using microfocused, tunable x rays from Argonne's Advanced Photon Source, we measure orbital alignment as a function of time. For plasma densities of the order of 10(14) cm(-3), the alignment decays within a few nanoseconds. A quantitative model explains the decay in terms of electron-ion collisions in the plasma. By applying an external magnetic field, we are able to suppress the disalignment and induce coherent spin precession of the Kr ions, thus providing an in situ monitor of magnetic fields in a plasma.