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.
Edwards
J
J
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.
Lorenz
K T
KT
Remington
B A
BA
Pollaine
S
S
Colvin
J
J
Braun
D
D
Lasinski
B F
BF
Reisman
D
D
McNaney
J M
JM
Greenough
J A
JA
Wallace
R
R
Louis
H
H
Kalantar
D
D