Tracking the density evolution in counter-propagating shock waves using imaging X-ray scattering

• Published in: Applied physics letters Vol. 109; no. 3
• Main Authors: Zastrau, U., Gamboa, E. J., Kraus, D., Benage, J. F., Drake, R. P., Efthimion, P., Falk, K., Falcone, R. W., Fletcher, L. B., Galtier, E., Gauthier, M., Granados, E., Hastings, J. B., Heimann, P., Hill, K., Keiter, P. A., Lu, J., MacDonald, M. J., Montgomery, D. S., Nagler, B., Pablant, N., Schropp, A., Tobias, B., Gericke, D. O., Glenzer, S. H., Lee, H. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melville American Institute of Physics 18-07-2016
• Subjects: Applied physics; Density; Dismantling; Evolution; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Foils; Forward scattering; Hydrodynamics; Inelastic scattering; Shock wave propagation; Shock waves; X-ray scattering; XFEL
• ISSN: 0003-6951; 1077-3118
• DOI: 10.1063/1.4959256

We present results from time-resolved X-ray imaging and inelastic scattering on collective excitations. These data are then employed to infer the mass density evolution within laser-driven shock waves. In our experiments, thin carbon foils are first strongly compressed and then driven into a dense state by counter-propagating shock waves. The different measurements agree that the graphite sample is about twofold compressed when the shock waves collide, and a sharp increase in forward scattering indicates disassembly of the sample 1 ns thereafter. We can benchmark hydrodynamics simulations of colliding shock waves by the X-ray scattering methods employed.