Laser experiments producing melt
Abstract
An initiative is underway at the Omega, Vulcan and Helen lasers to produce and detect melt transitions in targets using decaying shock waves. We present data and analysis for experiments performed at Vulcan and Helen to detect melt in Al, Pb and Fe. We show an analytic study and of diamond melt experiments performed at the Omega laser. For the diamond simulations we use a variety of EOS models, including models with solid-liquid phase transitions. By adjusting the strength, sound speed in the transition region, and the Poission ratio, we qualitatively reproduce the observed shock velocity. In all the experiments a decaying shock wave propagates through wedged or stepped targets and into a LiF or sapphire window. The sample is instantaneously melted on the Hugoniot, then releases isentropically. Shock breakout and sample:window velocity are observed with VISAR. Temperature is measured using SOP.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- November 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002APS..DPPRP1094E