Characterisation of contaminant plumes arising from laser-solid target interactions

Abstract

In preparation for experiments on the ORION laser facility, a number of investigations have been performed to characterise debris and shrapnel plumes arising from laser target interactions. These interactions may arise from the use of long [ns] pulse or short [ps] pulse laser beams with mainly solid targets. Plume characteristics depend on the target material and geometry. We describe interactions with metal or polymer targets and geometries including planar foils, cylinders, wires, or complex combinations. Characterisation techniques were based mainly on glass witness plates or aerogel catchers with subsequent analysis by optical or electron microscopy, spectro-photometry, and image analysis.