Abstract
Abstract : One-inch diameter samples of various materials, such as stainless steel, painted and unpainted aluminum, fused silica, and fiberglass composites, were irradiated by a train of picosecond-duration pulses from a free-electron laser at irradiances of 0.5 to 10 kW/cm2. These experiments were the first to examine the lethality of a train of picosecond-duration laser pulses in an irradiance regime relevant to high energy laser lethality, i.e., utilizing laser intensities that have a change of propagating a significant distance in the atmosphere. In situ diagnostics were used to measure space and time resolved temperature profiles on the laser-irradiated and back sides of the samples. Also, plumes emanating from the laser-irradiated side of the samples were recorded. Heating and cooling of the samples, melting, boiling, hole burning, flow of liquid matter, and breakup of composites were measured. Results of these experiments and a comparison to post-shot analysis of the samples are presented.
Published Version
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