Flash x radiography of laser-accelerated targets

Technical Report · Mon Aug 30 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6876702

Whitlock, R R; Obenschain, S P; Grun, J

Flash x radiography of ablatively accelerated planar foils has provided quantitative measurements and qualitative observations regarding several parameters of critical interest to direct illumination laser fusion. A 1.05 micron, 3.3 nsec driver beam was focused onto carbon foils in a large (0.7-1 mm diameter) spot to reduce edge effects. From images produced by a backlighting x-ray flash, we have measured overall coupling efficiency, smoothing of laser nonuniformities, target velocity, and ablation pressure. The high velocity targets maintain a localized, high density (> 3% of solid). In contrast to other workers' recent measurement of pressure from x-ray imaging, our x-radiographic results, including pressure, are in general agreement with earlier NRL studies. Our results have also provided further insights into double foil interactions and planar target preheat measurements.

• Research Organization: Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AI08-79DP40092
• OSTI ID: 6876702
• Report Number(s): NRL-MR-4860; ON: DE82022213
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700208* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Inertial Confinement Technology
ACCELERATION
CARBON
ELEMENTS
FOILS
IMPLOSIONS
INDUSTRIAL RADIOGRAPHY
LASER IMPLOSIONS
LASER TARGETS
NONMETALS
TARGETS
X-RAY RADIOGRAPHY