Laser-driven plasma loader for shockless compression and acceleration of samples in the solid state.
A new method for shockless compression and acceleration of solid materials is presented. A plasma reservoir pressurized by a laser-driven shock unloads across a vacuum gap and piles up against an Al sample thus providing the drive. The rear surface velocity of the Al was measured with a line VISAR, and used to infer load histories. These peaked between approximately 0.14 and 0.5 Mbar with strain rates approximately 10(6)-10(8) s(-1). Detailed simulations suggest that apart from surface layers the samples can remain close to the room temperature isentrope. The experiments, analysis, and future prospects are discussed.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
J
J
Edwards
K T
KT
Lorenz
B A
BA
Remington
S
S
Pollaine
J
J
Colvin
D
D
Braun
B F
BF
Lasinski
D
D
Reisman
J M
JM
McNaney
J A
JA
Greenough
R
R
Wallace
H
H
Louis
D
D
Kalantar