Shock-timing experiments using double-pulse laser irradiation

Abstract

The timing of multiple shock waves is crucial to the performance of inertial confinement fusion ignition targets. Presented are measurements of velocities and optical self-emission from shock waves in polystyrene targets driven by two 90-ps pulses separated by 1.5–2ns. These pulses drive two shock waves that coalesce in the target, and the resultant velocity histories, coalescence times, and transit times are unambiguously observed in both velocity interferometry and self-emission data. These results are in good agreement with one-dimensional hydrodynamics code predictions.