Experimental study of radiative shocks at PALS facility

We report on the investigation of strong radiative shocks generated with the high energy, sub-nanosecond iodine laser at PALS. These shock waves are characterized by a developed radiative precursor and their dynamics is analyzed over long time scales (~50 ns), approaching a quasi-stationary limit. We present the first preliminary results on the rear side XUV spectroscopy. These studies are relevant to the understanding of the spectroscopic signatures of accretion shocks in Classical T Tauri Stars.Comment: 21 pages, 1 table, 7 figure

Experimental investigation of fast electron transport in solid density matter: Recent results from a new technique of X-ray energy-encoded 2D imaging

AbstractThe development activity of a new experimental technique for the study of the fast electron transport in high density matter is reported. This new diagnostic tool enables the X-ray 2D imaging of ultrahigh intensity laser plasmas with simultaneous spectral resolution in a very large energy range to be obtained. Results from recent experiments are discussed, in which the electron propagation in multilayer targets was studied by using the Kα. In particular, results highlighting the role of anisotropic Bremsstrahlung are reported, for the sake of the explanation of the capabilities of the new diagnostics. A discussion of a test experiment conceived to extend the technique to a single-shot operation is finally given

Effect of lateral radiative losses on radiative shock propagation

International audienceExperimental and numerical studies of radiative shocks, of interest as scaled astrophysical objects, have been performed. Experiments were conducted at the PALS facility in Prague with a xenon filled mini-shock tube using a laser accelerated plastic pusher. Numerical simulations of the hydrodynamics including radiation effects have been performed with the 3D code HERACLES. Measurements have been made of the electronic density of the shocked gas and of the time history of the position of the radiative precursor. Simulations and experimental results show good agreement when lateral radiative losses are taken into account, including a wall albedo of 40%