Laser acceleration of thin flyers

Technical Report · Tue Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/102212· OSTI ID:102212

Farnsworth, Jr, A V

Laser energy delivered through an optical fiber has been used to accelerate a thin metallic foil to high velocity. Subsequent impact of the foil onto an explosive charge can initiate an explosion. The present computational study addresses the physical processes of laser absorption, energy transport flyer acceleration, and foil impact on HE or on diagnostic materials in associated experiments. The objective has been to gain understanding that will allow optimizing the system for practical HE initiation. The structure of the foil, especially the presence of a thermally insulating layer near the ablation surface, significantly influences foil effectiveness as an initiator. These simulations show a marked effect on the acceleration process by that layer, which influences both the onset of full laser power absorption, and the physical competence of the foil on arrival at the HE. The effect on laser absorption is especially noteworthy at low laser intensity, where foil launch is marginal. A role of the glass fiber in absorbing laser energy and contributing ablated material is seen in the calculations and confirmed by experiments.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 102212
• Report Number(s): SAND--95-0827C; CONF-950846--17; ON: DE95016754
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
ABLATION
ACCELERATION
C CODES
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
DETONATIONS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ENERGY DEPOSITION
ENERGY TRANSFER
FOILS
IGNITION
LASER RADIATION
THEORETICAL DATA