Novel Diagnostic of Shock Fronts in Low-Z Dense Plasmas

• Published in: Astrophysics and space science Vol. 298; no. 1-2; pp. 313 - 316
• Main Authors: Pape, S Le, Koenig, M, Vinci, T, Martinolli, E, Hicks, D, Mackinnon, A, Patel, P, Borghesi, M, Romagnani, L, Boehly, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Nature B.V 01-06-2005
• Subjects: Astrophysics; Monte Carlo simulation; Plasma; Propagation; Protons; Radiography
• ISSN: 0004-640X; 1572-946X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10509-005-3959-4

We performed an experiment using high-energy protons to characterize in situ the spatial and temporal evolution of a laser-driven shock propagating through a low-Z material. Radiography of the shock propagating through the low-Z transparent material (Lexan, quartz, diamond) enabled estimation of density under compression. In order to discriminate the influence of the shocked matter on the protons trajectory, a Monte-Carlo simulation was developed. This code describes the protons trajectory through the matter, calculating the scattering angle and the loss of energy.