Optical measurements of laser-detonated shock waves in thin lithium wires

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.324331· OSTI ID:5296073

Samson, J C

Shock-heated plasmas were produced by focusing 1-ns 1.06-..mu..m laser pulses to intensities of 2 x 10/sup 12/ W/cm/sup 2/ on 100-..mu..m-diam lithium wires. Interferograms and shadowgrams produced with 1-ns 0.53-..mu..m pulses indicate two distinct phases in the plasma expansion. The first phase is a spherical core of dense plasma produced by a shock propagating through the wire, normal to the axis of the wire, and along the laser beam. Interferometric measurements of the expansion and drift velocity of this phase indicate that the initial pressure behind the shock was 1.4--1.9 Mbar, the compression was 2.6--4.2, the shock velocity was (2.1--2.2) x 10/sup 6/ cm/s, and the fluid velocity was (1.3--1.6) x 10/sup 6/ cm/s. The second phase is an approximately cylindrical column of partially ionized material produced by shocks propagating along the wire. Shadowgrams show that the velocities of these shocks were greater than 1.7 x 10/sup 6/ cm/s.

• Research Organization: National Research Council of Canada, Division of Physics, Ottawa, K1A OR6, Canada
• OSTI ID: 5296073
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 49:1; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700106* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Plasma Production-- (-1987)
ALKALI METALS
ELEMENTS
EXPANSION
HEATING
HOT PLASMA
INTERFEROMETRY
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
LASER-RADIATION HEATING
LITHIUM
METALS
PLASMA
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
PLASMA EXPANSION
PLASMA HEATING
SHOCK WAVES
WAVE PROPAGATION
WIRES