Perturbation evolution started by Richtmyer-Meshkov instability in planar laser targets

The first observations of the interaction of the Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) instability with reflected shock and rarefaction waves in laser-driven targets are reported. The RM growth is started by a shock wave incident upon a rippled interface between low-density foam and solid plastic. The subsequent interaction of secondary rarefaction and/or shock waves arriving from the ablation front and the rear surface of the target with the RM-unstable interface stops the perturbation growth and reverses its direction. The ensuing exponential Rayleigh-Taylor growth thus can sometimes proceed with an inverted phase. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.