Observed transition from Richtmyer-Meshkov jet formation through feedout oscillations to Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a laser target

Experimental study of hydrodynamic perturbation evolution triggered by a laser-driven shock wave breakout at the free rippled rear surface of a plastic target is reported. At sub-megabar shock pressure, planar jets manifesting the development of the Richtmyer-Meshkov-type instability in a non-accelerated target are observed. As the shock pressure exceeds 1 Mbar, an oscillatory rippled expansion wave is observed, followed by the "feedout" of the rear-surface perturbations to the ablation front and the development of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, which breaks up the accelerated target.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure

Behaviour of fast electron transport in solid targets

One of the main issues of the fast ignitor scheme is the role of fast electron transport in the solid fuel heating. Recent experiments used a new target scheme based on the use of cone to guide the PW laser and enhance the electron production. In this context it is fundamental to understand the physics underlying this new target scheme. We report here recent and preliminary results of ultra-intense laser pulse interaction with three layer targets in presence of the cone or without. Experiments have been performed at LULI with the 100 TW laser facility, at intensities up to 3 10$^{19}$ W/cm$^{2}$. Several diagnostics have been implemented (2D K$\alpha$ imaging, K$\alpha$ spectroscopy and rear side imaging, protons emission) to quantify the cone effect

Supersonic-jet experiments using a high-energy laser

In this Letter, laboratory astrophysical jet experiments performed with the LULI2000 laser facility are presented. High speed plasma jets (150 km.s(-1)) are generated using foam-filled cone targets. Accurate experimental characterization of the plasma jet is performed by measuring its time evolution and exploring various target parameters. Key jet parameters such as propagation and radial velocities, temperature, and density are obtained. For the first time, the required dimensionless quantities are experimentally determined on a single-shot basis. Although the jets evolve in vacuum, most of the scaling parameters are relevant to astrophysical conditions.</p