A novel shock tube with a laser–plasma driver. (13th September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kai, Y.; Garen, W.; Schlegel, T.; Teubner, U.
• Is Part Of: Laser and particle beams. Volume 35:Number 4(2017)
• Page Start: 610
• Page End: 618
• Publication Date: 2017-09-13
• Subjects: Compressible flow, -- Femtosecond laser, -- Interferometry, -- Micro scale shock wave, -- Plasma physics; Laser beams -- Periodicals; Particle beams -- Periodicals; 535.5
• DOI: 10.1017/S0263034617000635
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-0346

Abstract

Abstract: A novel method to generate shock waves in small tubes is demonstrated. A femtosecond laser is applied to generate an optical breakdown an aluminum film as target. Due to the sudden appearance of this non-equilibrium state of the target, a shock wave is induced. The shock wave is further driven by the expanding high-pressure plasma (up to 10 Mbar), which serves as a quasi-piston, until the plasma recombines. The shock wave then propagates further into a glass capillary (different square capillaries with hydraulic diameter D down to 50 µm are applied). Shock wave propagation is investigated by laser interferometry. Although the plasma is an unsteady driver, due to the geometrical confinement of the capillaries, rather strong micro shocks can still propagate as far as 35 times D . In addition to the experiments, the initial conditions of this novel method are investigated by hydrocode simulations using MULTI-fs.