Plasma-accelerated flyer-plates for equation of state studies.

Abstract

We report on a new technique to accelerate flyer-plates to high velocities (∼5 km/s). In this work, a strong shock is created through direct laser ablation of a thin polyimide foil. Subsequent shock breakout of that foil results in the generation of a plasma characterized by a smoothly increasing density gradient and a strong forward momentum. Stagnation of this plasma onto an aluminum foil and the resultant momentum transfer accelerates a thin aluminum flyer-plate. The aluminum flyer-plate is then accelerated to a peak velocity of ∼5 km/s before impact with a transparent lithium fluoride (LiF) window. Simulations of the stagnating plasma ramp compression and wave reverberations within the flyer-plate suggest that the temperature at the flyer-plate impact surface is elevated by less than 50 °C. Optical velocimetry is used to measure the flyer-plate velocity and impact conditions enabling the shocked refractive index of LiF to be determined. The results presented here are in agreement with conventional flyer-plate measurements validating the use of plasma-accelerated flyer-plates for equation of state and impact studies.

• Authors: D E Fratanduono, R F Smith, T R Boehly, J H Eggert, D G Braun, G W Collins
• Journal: The Review of scientific instruments (Rev Sci Instrum) Vol. 83 Issue 7 Pg. 073504 (Jul 2012) ISSN: 1089-7623 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22852692 (Publication Type: Journal Article)