Aaron Edens

Measurements of magneto-Rayleigh–Taylor instability growth during the implosion of initially solid metal liners a)

A recent publication [D. B. Sinars et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 185001 (2010)] describes the first controlled experiments measuring the growth of the magneto-Rayleigh–Taylor instability in fast (∼100 ns) Z-pinch plasmas formed from initially solid aluminum tubes (liners). Sinusoidal perturbations on the surface of these liners with wavelengths of 25–400 μm were used to seed single-mode instabilities. The evolution of the outer liner surface was captured using multiframe 6.151 keV radiography. The initial paper shows that there is good agreement between the data and 2-D radiation magneto-hydrodynamic simulations down to 50 μm wavelengths. This paper extends the previous one by providing more detailed radiography images, detailed target characterization data, a more accurate comparison to analytic models for the amplitude growth, the first data from a beryllium liner, and comparisons between the data and 3D simulations.

Laboratory observation of secondary shock formation ahead of a strongly radiative blast wave

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 N2, 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% N2. The formation radius of the second shock as a function of Xe mass fraction is consistent with an analytical estimate.

Activation of the Z-petawatt laser at Sandia National Laboratories

To enhance radiographic capabilities on its Z-Accelerator, Sandia National Laboratories is incorporating a petawatt laser system into the existing Z-Backlighter laser facility. A chirped-pulse laser has been constructed to seed the large Beamlet type Nd:Phosphate glass slab amplifiers. This seed laser consists of an optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) system joined to a Nd:Phosphate glass rod amplifier in order to achieve multi-Joule operation. After injection into the main slab amplifiers up to 500 J of chirped pulse energy is achieved. Two compressor options are available for this output: a lower energy compressor for 100TW (50 J/500 fs) operation and a higher energy compressor for 1PW (500 J/500 fs) operation. While the higher energy compressor is under construction, the 100 TW system is now operational and can achieve focal intensities up to 1019 W/cm2.

Microstructure dependence of dynamic fracture and yielding in aluminum and an aluminum alloy at strain rates of 2 × 106 s−1 and faster

Experiments investigating fracture and resistance to plastic deformation at fast strain rates (>106 s−1) were performed via laser ablation on thin sheets of aluminum and aluminum alloys. Single crystal high purity aluminum (Al-HP) and a single crystal 1100 series aluminum alloy (AA1100) were prepared to investigate the role of impurity particles. Specimens of aluminum alloy +3 wt. % Mg (Al+3Mg) at three different grain sizes were also studied to determine the effect of grain size. In the present experiments, high purity aluminum (Al-HP) exhibited the highest spall strength over 1100 series aluminum alloy (AA1100) and Al+3Mg. Fracture characterization and particle analysis revealed that fracture was initiated in the presence of particles associated with impurity content in the AA1100 and at both grain boundaries and particles in Al+3Mg. The Al+3Mg specimens exhibited the greatest resistance to plastic deformation likely resulting from the presence of magnesium atoms. The Al-HP and AA1100, both lacking a st...

Laser-induced spallation of aluminum and Al alloys at strain rates above 2×106s−1

Material microstructure is a significant determinant of the tensile stress at which materials fail. Using a high-energy laser to drive shocks in thin slabs, we have explored the role material microstructure plays on the spall strength of high-purity and alloyed aluminum at strain rates of (2–7.5)×106s−1. Slabs of pure recrystallized Al and recrystallized or cold worked Al+3wt% Mg were shock driven using the Z-Beamlet Laser at Sandia National Laboratories. Velocity interferometer measurements determined the spall strength of the materials, and postshot target analysis explored the microscopic fracture morphology. We observed the greatest spall strength for large-grained, recrystallized high-purity aluminum, with the dominant failure mode being ductile and transgranular. We observe for the first time at these strain rates fracture features for a fine-grained Al+3wt% Mg that were a combination of brittle intergranular and ductile transgranular fracture types. Postshot analysis of target cross sections and hy...

Study of high Mach number laser driven blast waves in gases

A series of experiments were performed examining the evolution of blast waves produced by laser irradiation of a target immersed in gas. Blast waves were produced by illumination of wires by 1 kJ, 1 ns laser pulses from the Z-Beamlet laser at Sandia National Laboratories. The blast waves were imaged by probe laser pulses at various times to examine the trajectory, radiative precursor, and induced perturbations on the blast wave front. Well defined perturbations were induced on the blast wave front with arrays of wires placed in the gas and the results of the experiments are compared to the theoretical predictions for the Vishniac overstability. It is found that the experimental results are in general agreement with these theoretical predictions on thin blast wave shells and are in quantitative agreement in the simplest case.

Development of an in situ peak intensity measurement method for ultraintense single shot laser-plasma experiments at the Sandia Z petawatt facility

Using the physical process of ultraintense field ionization of high charge states of inert gas ions, we have developed a method of peak intensity measurement at the focus of high energy short pulse lasers operating in single shot mode. The technique involves detecting ionization products created from a low pressure gas target at the laser focus via time of flight detector. The observation of high ion charge states collected by the detector yields peak intensity at the focus when compared with the results obtained from well established tunnel ionization models. An initial peak intensity measurement of 5×1016Wcm−2 was obtained for a 1.053μm center wavelength, 0.4J pulse with 1ps pulse duration focused with an f∕5.5 off-axis parabola. Experiments with multijoule level, 500fs laser pulses are on the way.

Secondary shock formation in xenon-nitrogen mixtures

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 (5ns) deposition of laser energy (5J) 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 th...

The Z-Petawatt Laser at Sandia National Laboratories

Performance characteristics and first experiments on Sandiapsilas Z-Petawatt (ZPW) laser will be presented. This system will provide enhanced backlighting capabilities on the Z-Accelerator by achieving multi 10 keV X-rays in less than a picosecond.

Spectroscopic measurements in the post-hole convolute on Sandia's Z-Machine (invited)

Pulsed power is a key driver for high energy density (HED) science. The Z-Machine is the worlds largest pulsed power driver, and as such is one of the foremost platforms for HED science. The double post-hole convolute current adder is a critical element in low impedance, multi-module pulsed power device design. Post-refurbishment, the current loss in the convolute has reached as high as 5 MA (20% of the MITL current). Measurements of the plasma forming in this region will lead to a better understanding of the losses, and may help with a redesign of the system. Spectroscopic measurements of the convolute show strong continuum emission with absorption features. Most notably we observe the hydrogen H-alpha at 6563 Å. Lithium was introduced into the convolute as a tracer; this experiment put upper and lower bounds on the axial position of the observed continuum emitter, (located in the upper post-hole). Measurements of the location of continuum emission as a function of time indicate that plasma travels from cathode to anode with an apparent velocity of greater than 7 cm/μs.