Flash X Radiography of Laser-Accelerated Targets.

Abstract

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. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 30, 1982
Accession Number
ADA119569

Entities

People

  • Jacob Grün
  • R. R. Whitlock
  • Stephen P.P. Obenschain

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ablation
  • Diameters
  • Efficiency
  • Emission
  • Energy
  • Flashes
  • Geometry
  • High Density
  • Illumination
  • Intensity
  • Laser Beams
  • Laser Pulses
  • Laser Target Interactions
  • Laser Targets
  • Measurement
  • X Ray Flash
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy