Laser-driven flyer impact experiments at the LULI 2000 laser facility

Abstract

New laser-driven flyer impact experiments have been performed at the LULI laboratory. In these experiments, three types of targets (single Al flyer, multi-layered, and foam-buffered high-Z metal) were used. Impacted conditions in fused quartz were measured with rear-side (two VISARs and SOP) and transverse diagnostics (shadowgraph). In the foam-buffered target, Ta foil was accelerated up to a velocity of 55 km/s. Shock wave accelerated in fused quartz by an Al flyer impact was generated, and the shock wave passing a distinct boundary to a conductive state was directly observed. This method is a way to create unique conditions within the EOS diagram of material.