Laser-Plasma Interaction and Ablative Acceleration of Thin Foils at 10 to the 12th power - 10 to the 14th power W/sq. cm.
Abstract
The interaction physics and hydrodynamic motion of thin-foil targets irradiated by long, low-flux Nd-laser pulses (3 nsec, 10 to the 12th power to 7 x 10 to the 14th power W/sq.cm) are studied experimentally and compared with theoretical models. Laser light absorption is high (80-90%) and thin-foil targets are accelerated up to about 10 to the 7th power cm/sec with good (about 20%) hydrodynamic efficiency in the 10 to the 12th power to 10 to the 14th power W/sq.cm range. These results agree with a simple rocket ablation model. Details of thermal heat flow both axially (related to ablation depth) and laterally (related to beam uniformity requirements) are also presented. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 29, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA063814
Entities
People
- B. H. Riping
- C.M. Armstrong
- R. Decoste
- S. E. Bodner
- Steven H. Gold
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory