Dynamically pre-compressed hydrocarbons studied by self-impedance mismatch

Using the SG-III prototype laser at China Academy of Engineering Physics,Mianyang,we irradiated polystyrene(CH)samples with a thermal radiation drive,reaching conditions on the principal Hugoniot up to P≈1 TPa(10 Mbar),and away from the Hugoniot up to P≈300 GPa(3 Mbar).The response of each sample was measured with a velocity interferometry diagnostic to determine the material and shock velocity,and hence the conditions reached,and the reflectivity of the sample,from which changes in the conductivity can be inferred.By applying the selfimpedance mismatch technique with the measured velocities,the pressure and density of thermodynamic points away from the principal Hugoniot were determined.Our results show an unexpectedly large reflectivity at the highest shock pressures,while the off-Hugoniot points agree with previous work suggesting that shock-compressed CH conductivity is primarily temperature-dependent.

Short-pulse laser-driven x-ray radiography

We have developed a new radiography setup with a short-pulse laser-driven x-ray source. Using a radiography axis perpendicular to both long- and short-pulse lasers allowed optimizing the incident angle of the short-pulse laser on the x-ray source target. The setup has been tested with various x-ray source target materials and different laser wavelengths.Signal to noise ratios are presented as well as achieved spatial resolutions. The high quality of our technique is illustrated on a plasma flow radiograph obtained during a laboratory astrophysics experiment on POLARs.

Targets for high repetition rate laser facilities:needs,challenges and perspectives

A number of laser facilities coming online all over the world promise the capability of high-power laser experiments with shot repetition rates between 1 and 10 Hz. Target availability and technical issues related to the interaction environment could become a bottleneck for the exploitation of such facilities. In this paper, we report on target needs for three different classes of experiments: dynamic compression physics, electron transport and isochoric heating, and laser-driven particle and radiation sources. We also review some of the most challenging issues in target fabrication and high repetition rate operation. Finally, we discuss current target supply strategies and future perspectives to establish a sustainable target provision infrastructure for advanced laser facilities.

ReLaX:the Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields high-intensity short-pulse laser driver for relativistic laser-matter interaction and strong-field science using the high energy density instrument at the European X-ray free electron laser fac

High-energy and high-intensity lasers are essential for pushing the boundaries of science.Their development has allowed leaps forward in basic research areas,including laser±plasma interaction,high-energy density science,metrology,biology and medical technology.The Helmholtz International Beamline for Extreme Fields user consortium contributes and operates two high-peak-power optical lasers using the high energy density instrument at the European X-ray free electron laser(EuXFEL)facility.These lasers will be used to generate transient extreme states of density and temperature to be probed by the X-ray beam.This paper introduces the ReLaX laser,a short-pulse high-intensity Ti:Sa laser system,and discusses its characteristics as available for user experiments.It will also present the first experimental commissioning results validating its successful integration into the EuXFEL infrastructure and viability as a relativisticintensity laser driver.