Observed transition from Richtmyer-Meshkov jet formation through feedout oscillations to Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a laser target

Journal Article · Mon Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2012 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4764287· OSTI ID:22072591

Aglitskiy, Y ^[1]; Karasik, M; Velikovich, A L; Serlin, V; Weaver, J L; Kessler, T J; Schmitt, A J; Obenschain, S P ^[2]; Nikitin, S P; Oh, J ^[3]; Metzler, N ^[3]

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1. Science Applications International Corporation, McLean, Virginia 22150 (United States)
2. Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375 (United States)
3. Research Support Instruments, Lanham, Maryland 20706 (United States)

Experimental study of hydrodynamic perturbation evolution triggered by a laser-driven shock wave breakout at the free rippled rear surface of a plastic target is reported. At sub-megabar shock pressure, planar jets manifesting the development of the Richtmyer-Meshkov-type instability in a non-accelerated target are observed. As the shock pressure exceeds 1 Mbar, an oscillatory rippled expansion wave is observed, followed by the 'feedout' of the rear-surface perturbations to the ablation front and the development of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, which breaks up the accelerated target.

• OSTI ID: 22072591
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 10 Vol. 19; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABLATION
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
DISTURBANCES
LASER TARGETS
OSCILLATIONS
PLASMA JETS
PLASTICS
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
SHOCK WAVES