Short Pulse Laser Driven Shocks In Aluminum

Abstract

To better understand laser induced shock wave experiments, a joint theoretical and experimental campaign is being conducted focusing specifically on short pulse experiments in aluminum. The goal of this study is to increase laser energy coupling in shock wave experiments by probing the reaction of aluminum under laser induced compression. The samples consist of a tamper -- either cover slip glass, sapphire, or lithium fluoride -- and the thickness of the aluminum layer is also varied. For each sample geometry, the hot electron penetration depth is determined, improving our understanding of the amount of aluminum that is turned into plasma from the incident laser energy. The shock wave induced pressure is further studied as a function of sample geometry and intensity.