Laser-driven flier impact experiments at the SG-III prototype laser facility

Laser-driven flier impact experiments have been designed and performed at the SG-III prototype laser facility. The continuum phase plate(CPP) technique is used for the 3 ns quadrate laser pulse to produce a relatively uniform irradiated spot of 2 mm. The peak laser intensity is 2.7×1013W/cm2 and it accelerates the aluminum flier with a density gradient configuration to a high average speed of 21.3 km/s, as determined by the flight-of-time method with line VISAR. The flier decelerates on impact with a transparent silica window, providing a measure of the flatness of the flier after one hundred microns of flight. The subsequent shock wave acceleration, pursuing, and decay in the silica window are interpreted by hydrodynamic simulation. This method provides a promising method to create unique conditions for the study of a material’s properties.