Measure of precursor electron density profiles of laser launched radiative shocks

Michel Busquet (1) , Frederic Thais (2) , Matthias González (3) , Edouard Audit (3)

1 ARTEP - ARTEP,inc
2 SPAM - Service des Photons, Atomes et Molécules
3 AIM (UMR7158 / UMR_E_9005 / UM_112) - Astrophysique Interprétation Modélisation

We have studied the dynamics of strong radiative shocks generated with the high-energy subnanosecond iodine laser at Prague Asterix Laser System facility (Prague) over long time scales, up to 100 ns. These shock waves are characterized by a developed radiative precursor, a radiation driven ionization wave in front of the density jump of the shock. Electronic density profiles are measured at different times after the laser pulse and at different distances from the axis of the shock tube. A new feature, described as a split precursor, has been observed. Comparisons with two-dimensional computations are shown.

Domaines: Astrophysique stellaire et solaire [astro-ph.SR]; Astrophysique stellaire et solaire [astro-ph.SR]

Michel Busquet, Frederic Thais, Matthias González, Edouard Audit. Measure of precursor electron density profiles of laser launched radiative shocks. Journal of Applied Physics, 2010, 107, pp.083302. ⟨10.1063/1.3330636⟩. ⟨insu-00607674⟩