Laser-driven hydrodynamic perturbation in an overdense Z -pinch plasma

Holographic interferometry of the interaction of a radially incident intense CO2 laser beam (1011 W/cm2, 38-nsec FWHM pulse) with an overdense helium Z-pinch plasma (ne≳1019 e/cm3, Te∼20 eV, L=100 μm) has indicated the presence of a laser-driven shock. The radial dimension of the shock was found to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 1979-04, Vol.50 (4), p.2623-2629
Main Authors: Ackenhusen, John G., Bach, David R.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Holographic interferometry of the interaction of a radially incident intense CO2 laser beam (1011 W/cm2, 38-nsec FWHM pulse) with an overdense helium Z-pinch plasma (ne≳1019 e/cm3, Te∼20 eV, L=100 μm) has indicated the presence of a laser-driven shock. The radial dimension of the shock was found to be similar to the electron thermal conduction length, several times larger than the focal-spot dimension. Density structure within the shock was inferred from holographic interferograms. Heuristic considerations of the shock density ratio, the front thickness, and the shock velocity allowed for an estimate of 50–80% energy absorption.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.326270