Accession Number:

ADA063814

Title:

Laser-Plasma Interaction and Ablative Acceleration of Thin Foils at 10 to the 12th power - 10 to the 14th power W/sq. cm.

Descriptive Note:

Continuing rept.,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON D C

Personal Author(s):

• Riping,B. H.
• Armstrong,C. M.
• Bodner,S. E.
• Decoste,R.
• Gold,S. H.

Report Date:

1978-12-29

Pagination or Media Count:

53.0

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 Wsq.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 cmsec with good about 20 hydrodynamic efficiency in the 10 to the 12th power to 10 to the 14th power Wsq.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

Descriptors:

• *INTERACTIONS
• *LASER BEAMS
• *FOILS(MATERIALS)
• ABLATION
• PULSED LASERS
• TRANSPORT PROPERTIES
• RADIATION ABSORPTION
• HEATING
• HYDRODYNAMIC CODES
• HEAT FLUX
• NEODYMIUM LASERS

Subject Categories:

• Lasers and Masers
• Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE