Action of Shocks Generated in Solid Targets by Dense Plasma Focus Devices and at Pulsed Laser Irradiation

Abstract

Shock waves actions upon materials perspective for using in future thermonuclear fusion reactors are investigated experimentally and by means of numerical modelling. The shocks are generated by powerful streams of plasma and fast ions in Dense Plasma Focus devices as well as by irradiation with a laser operating in a Q-spoiled mode. Power flux densities of these streams on the targets’ surfaces are in the range 1014 – 1016 W/m2. They are used for tests of the above materials, and their influences are compared for a number of substances. It is shown that in the above-mentioned identical conditions Plasma Foci generate shock waves with amplitudes of approximately two times higher than that for the laser case. Fronts of the shocks are formed here faster than at the laser irradiation. A simple analytical formula for calculations of the amplitudes of shock waves in radiation material science experiments provided with Dense Plasma Focus devices are advanced.