研究目的
To study the irradiation of metal and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) targets by 100 ns UV pulses at intensities up to 5 3 1012 W cm?2, focusing on the formation of deep craters and the effects of radiation self-focusing in the plasma and Kerr self-focusing in partially transparent target materials.
研究成果
The experiments and simulations confirmed the formation of deep cone-shaped craters in both highly absorbing and translucent materials due to the 2D effect of combined supersonic propagation of the ablation front and a conical shock wave. Small-scale self-focusing of radiation in such plasmas was evidenced by a microcrater relief. Future experiments with increased intensities could investigate various types of laser–plasma instabilities in long crater-con?ned plasmas, serving for experimental modeling of the direct-drive ICF-scale interaction.
研究不足
The code used in the simulations did not account for radiation refraction in an inhomogeneous plasma or for re?ection by the crater wall, thus it could not describe radiation self-focusing in the crater. The laser intensity and plasma temperature were somewhat lower than in the main ICF driving pulse.