Development of laser-ablated aluminum plasma plume during the irradiation of laser pulse

Abstract

In this paper, we theoretically simulate the dynamic evolution of plasma from the interaction between a nanosecond pulsed laser and aluminum targets. The self-luminous image of the plasma plume during the laser loading process was experimentally obtained using high-speed photography. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrated that the plasma shielding effect and plasma lateral expansion have a significant effect on the plasma plume. It will affect laser–target coupling and further affect the evolution of plasma plumes. The detonation wave contained in the early stage of the laser-induced plasma plume directly affects the subsequent shock wave.