Laboratory astroparticle physics

Abstract:

We discuss a collective Thomson scattering experiment at the VUV free electron laser facility at DESY (FLASH) to diagnose warm dense matter at near-solid density. The plasma region of interest marks the transition from an ideal plasma to a correlated and degenerate many-particle system and is of current interest, e.g., in ICF experiments or laboratory astrophysics. Plasma diagnosis of such plasmas is a longstanding issue which is addressed here using a pump-probe scattering experiment to reveal the collective electron plasma mode (plasmon) using the high-brilliance radiation to probe the plasma. Distinctive scattering features allow one to infer basic plasma properties. For plasmas in thermal equilibrium the electron density and temperature are determined from scattering off the plasmon mode. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract:

The interaction of a 75 J 10 ps, high intensity laser beam with low-mass, solid Cu targets is investigated. Two instruments were fielded as diagnostics of Cu K -shell emission from the targets: a single photon counting spectrometer provided the absolute Kα yield [C. Stoeckl, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 75, 3705 (2004)] and a spherically bent Bragg crystal recorded 2D monochromatic images with a spatial resolution of 10 μm [J. A. Koch, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 2130 (2003)]. Due to the shifting and broadening of the Kα spectral lines with increasing temperature, there is a temperature dependence of the crystal collection efficiency. This affects measurements of the spatial pattern of electron transport, and it provides a temperature diagnostic when cross calibrated against the single photon counting spectrometer. The experimental data showing changing collection efficiency are presented. The results are discussed in light of modeling of the temperature-dependent spectrum of Cu K -shell emission. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract:

We have previously reported the experimental discovery of a second shock forming ahead of a radiative shock propagating in Xe. The initial shock is spherical, radiative, with a high Mach number, and it sends a supersonic radiative heat wave far ahead of itself. The heat wave rapidly slows to a transonic regime and when its Mach number drops to two with respect to the downstream plasma, the heat wave drives a second shock ahead of itself to satisfy mass and momentum conservation in the heat wave reference frame. We now show experimental data from a range of mixtures of Xe and N-2, gradually changing the properties of the initial shock and the environment into which the shock moves and radiates (the radiative conductivity and the heat capacity). We have successfully observed second shock formation over the entire range from 100% Xe mass fraction to 100% N-2. The formation radius of the second shock as a function of Xe mass fraction is consistent with an analytical estimate.

Abstract:

The expansion of shock waves has been studied in mediums with different opacities and heat capacities, varied in systematic ways by mixing xenon with nitrogen keeping the mass density constant. An initial shock is generated through the brief (5 ns) deposition of laser energy (5 J) on the tip of a pin surrounded by the xenon-nitrogen mixture. The initial shock is spherical, radiative, with a high Mach number, and it sends a supersonic radiatively driven heat wave far ahead of itself. The heat wave rapidly slows to a transonic regime and when its Mach number drops to ∼2 with respect to the downstream plasma, the heat wave becomes of the ablative type, driving a second shock ahead of itself to satisfy mass and momentum conservation in the heat wave reference frame. The details of this sequence of events depend, among other things, on the opacity and heat capacity of the surrounding medium. Second shock formation is observed over the entire range from 100% Xe mass fraction to 100% N2. The formation radius of the second shock as a function of Xe mass fraction is consistent with an analytical estimate. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.