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Observation of a Velocity Domain Cooling Instability in a Radiative Shock

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
; ; ; ;  [1]; ; ; ;  [2]; ;  [3]
  1. Laser Consortium, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW7 2BZ (United Kingdom)
  2. Central Laser Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX (United Kingdom)
  3. Plasma Physics Division, AWE Aldermaston, Reading RG7 4PR (United Kingdom)
We report on experimental investigations into strong, laser-driven, radiative shocks in cluster media. Cylindrical shocks launched with several joules of deposited energy exhibit strong radiative effects including rapid deceleration, radiative preheat, and shell thinning. Using time-resolved propagation data from single-shot streaked Schlieren measurements, we have observed temporal modulations on the shock velocity, which we attribute to the thermal cooling instability, a process which is believed to occur in supernova remnants but until now has not been observed experimentally.
OSTI ID:
21541706
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 20 Vol. 105; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English