Radiative characterization of supersonic jets and shocks in a laser-plasma experiment

Abstract

The interaction of supersonic laser-driven plasma jets with a secondary gas target was studied experimentally. The plasma parameters of the jet, and resulting shock, were characterized using a combination of multi-frame interferometry/shadowgraphy and X-ray diagnostics, allowing for a detailed study of their structure and evolution. The velocity was obtained with an X-ray streak camera, and filtered X-ray pinhole imaging was used to infer the electron temperature in the jet and shock. The density and topology of the background plasma was found to have a significant effect on the jet and shock formation, as well as their radiation characteristics. The experimental results were compared with radiation hydrodynamic simulations, and qualitative agreement was seen between the two.