Laser plasma interaction in solid metal, mixed metal alloy and metal nano-particle coated targets

Abstract

Indirect drive inertial confinement fusion involves the study of several target schemes to achieve optimal coupling of laser energy to the hohlraum cavity. In this paper we compare results on x ray and ion emission in two different target schemes. A mixed metallic alloy of Au-Cu was observed to yield higher x ray flux compared to pure Au or Cu. In the second scheme, effect of target structuring on x-ray and ion emission dynamics has been studied. Solid copper targets coated with a layer of nano-crystalline copper particles were compared for their x-ray emission with plane polished copper targets. Target structuring was observed to have varying effects on x-ray and ion emission characteristics.