Experimental technique for launching miniature flying plates using laser pulses

Abstract

A new laser-driven flyer system is developed for use with the GEKKO/HIPER high-power glass laser system. The system employs an 8-μm three-layered flyer target and a new optical system for flyer velocity measurement, and is demonstrated to be capable of accelerating the flyer to approximately 23 km/s at 1031 J laser energy while maintaining a very flat shape. This is one of the highest flyer velocities reported to date, and shows the efficiency and utility of laser-driven flyer techniques in the study of material dynamics.