Plasma-accelerated flyer-plates for equation of state studies
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)
- Laboratory for Laser Energetic, University of Rochester, 250 East River Road, Rochester, New York 14623-1299 (United States)
We report on a new technique to accelerate flyer-plates to high velocities ({approx}5 km/s). In this work, a strong shock is created through direct laser ablation of a thin polyimide foil. Subsequent shock breakout of that foil results in the generation of a plasma characterized by a smoothly increasing density gradient and a strong forward momentum. Stagnation of this plasma onto an aluminum foil and the resultant momentum transfer accelerates a thin aluminum flyer-plate. The aluminum flyer-plate is then accelerated to a peak velocity of {approx}5 km/s before impact with a transparent lithium fluoride (LiF) window. Simulations of the stagnating plasma ramp compression and wave reverberations within the flyer-plate suggest that the temperature at the flyer-plate impact surface is elevated by less than 50 Degree-Sign C. Optical velocimetry is used to measure the flyer-plate velocity and impact conditions enabling the shocked refractive index of LiF to be determined. The results presented here are in agreement with conventional flyer-plate measurements validating the use of plasma-accelerated flyer-plates for equation of state and impact studies.
- OSTI ID:
- 22093663
- Journal Information:
- Review of Scientific Instruments, Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 83; ISSN 0034-6748; ISSN RSINAK
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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