Thin foil acceleration by the pressure of laser-produced plasma of porous matter

Abstract

Interactions of PALS iodine laser beam with low density porous targets and porous targets with Al foil attached to the rear side were studied using multi-frame interferometry and shadowgraphy. Electron density profiles at the front and the rear side of the targets were reconstructed from interferograms. Velocities of Al-foils accelerated by the pressure of the heated porous material were established from shadowgrams. A good symmetry and absence of local perturbations were observed both in the rear side plasmas of porous targets and in the shape of the accelerated Al-foils. Measured rear side velocities are in a good agreement with the presented theory of laser interactions with porous materials.