Dynamics of Converging Laser-Created Plasmas in Semi-Cylindrical Cavities Studied using Soft X-Ray Laser Interferometry

Journal Article · Wed Sep 19 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Physical Review E, vol. 76, no. 4, October 15, 2007, pp. 046402

OSTI ID:943826

Purvis, M A; Grava, J; Filevich, J; Marconi, M; Dunn, J; Moon, S J; Shlyaptsev, V N; Jankowska, E; Rocca, J J

The evolution of dense aluminum and carbon plasmas produced by laser irradiation of 500 {micro}m diameter semi-cylindrical targets was studied using soft x-ray laser interferometry. Plasmas created heating the cavity walls with 120 picosecond duration optical laser pulses of {approx} 1 x 10{sup 12} W cm{sup -2} peak intensity were observed to expand and converge on axis to form a localized high density plasma region. Electron density maps were measured using a 46.9 nm wavelength tabletop capillary discharge soft x-ray laser probe in combination with an amplitude division interferometer based on diffraction gratings. The measurements show that the plasma density on axis exceeds 1 x 10{sup 20} cm{sup -3}. The electron density profiles are compared with simulations conducted using the hydrodynamic code HYDRA, which show that the abrupt density increase near the axis is dominantly caused by the convergence of plasma generated at the bottom of the groove during laser irradiation.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 943826
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-234957
• Journal Information: Physical Review E, vol. 76, no. 4, October 15, 2007, pp. 046402, Journal Name: Physical Review E, vol. 76, no. 4, October 15, 2007, pp. 046402 Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 76
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALUMINIUM
AMPLITUDES
CARBON
CAVITIES
CONVERGENCE
DIFFRACTION GRATINGS
ELECTRON DENSITY
HEATING
HYDRA
HYDRODYNAMICS
INTERFEROMETERS
INTERFEROMETRY
IRRADIATION
LASERS
PLASMA DENSITY
PROBES
TARGETS
WAVELENGTHS
X-RAY LASERS