Multi-layered flyer accelerated by laser induced shock waves

Abstract

Multi-layered flyer (aluminum-polyimide-tantalum) is designed as a high speed flyer making use of shock impedance matching and reverberation techniques. The designed three layered targets have been irradiated using a 20 J laser beam. Flyer velocities are measured by observing the flyer impact emissions on glass step targets within a 500 μm laser focal spot at laser intensities 5 × 1012-2 × 1013 W/cm2. Thin (0.5-1.0 μm) Ta layers of the flyers are accelerated via shock reverberations between the thick polyimide and thin Ta layers for the first time using laser induced shock waves. Their velocities are measured to be more than 13 km/s with a good hydrodynamic stability. The obtained velocity is faster than the ones obtained by a conventional flyer method such as a double gas gun. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.