Studies of laser-driven flyer acceleration using optical fiber coupling
An optically recording velocity interferometer system has been used to measure acceleration histories and maximum velocities for laser-driven aluminum foil targets launched from the output face of optical fibers. Peak flyer velocities have been determined as a function of various parameters, including driving laser fluence, laser pulse duration and target thickness. The results at high fluences are consistent with a nearly constant efficiency of coupling optical energy into flyer kinetic energy and a small ablated mass fraction; however, the coupling efficiency falls off rapidly at fluences < 15 J-cm{sup {minus}2}. Measurement of the time delay between laser pulse arrival at the target and the onset of flyer motion have also been performed. Significant delays are observed at low fluences, arising from the increased time required for plasma formation at the fiber/foil interface under these conditions. 10 refs., 5 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5634918
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-91-0148C; CONF-9107105-19; ON: DE91013503
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1991 American Physical Society (APS) conference on shock compression of condensed matter, Williamsburg, VA (USA), 17-20 Jul 1991
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Acceleration of thin foil targets using fiber-coupled optical pulses
Laser acceleration of thin flyers
Related Subjects
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
FOILS
ACCELERATION
OPTICAL FIBERS
EQUIPMENT INTERFACES
ALUMINIUM
INTERFEROMETERS
LASER TARGETS
MEASURING METHODS
NEODYMIUM LASERS
OPTICAL EQUIPMENT
PULSE TECHNIQUES
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FIBERS
LASERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
SOLID STATE LASERS
TARGETS
656003* - Condensed Matter Physics- Interactions between Beams & Condensed Matter- (1987-)
440600 - Optical Instrumentation- (1990-)