Dynamics of laser-driven, ablatively accelerated targets

The characteristics of ablation plasma from planar targets, driven by long Nd: glass laser pulses (4 nsec, < 1014 W/cm2), and the velocity of the ablatively accelerated targets are experimentally studied. Ablation plasma diagnostics include arrays of time-of-flight ion collectors, plasma calorimeters, and ballistic pendula which directly measure the plasma velocity, energy and momentum. The ballistic pendula have been tested and calibrated in the experimental environment. A novel double-foil technique has been developed and used to study the velocity of the accelerated target. Using measurements of plasma energy, velocity, and momentum, we determine the scaling with irradiance and the absolute magnitudes of the ablation pressure, velocity and ablation depth (or mass ablation rate)