Intense magnetic fields modify the properties of extremely dense matter via complex processes that call for precise measurements in very harsh conditions. This endeavor becomes even more challenging because the generation of mega-gauss fields in a laboratory is far from trivial. This paper presents a unique and compact approach to generate fields above 2 mega-gauss in less than 150 ns, inside a volume close to half a cubic centimeter. Magnetic insulation, keeping plasma ablation close to the wire surface, and mechanical inertia, limiting coil motion throughout the current discharge, enable the generation of intense magnetic fields where the shape of the conductor controls the field topology with exquisite precision and versatility, limiting the need for mapping exactly magnetic fields.
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