Analysis and 2D numerical modeling of burn through of metallic foil experiments using power KrF and Nd lasers

Abstract

Two series of experiments on laser irradiation of the different thickness Al-foils were made using laser facilities “GARPUN” and “PICO” (Lebedev Physical Institute, Moscow). “GARPUN” is the KrF-laser with pulse energy Elas ≈ 100 J and pulse duration τ ≈ 100 ns. “PICO” is a Nd-laser facility. The laser energy is Elas1 ≈ 20 J and τ ≈ 3–4 ns in a single beam. The burn through time (tb) of different thickness foils was studied. We have varied the foil thickness: d = 20–500 μm for “GARPUN” facility experiments, and d = 3–12 μm for the case of “PICO” experiments. It was discovered that the rates of the foil burn through are much higher than those obtained in (Dahmani et al., 1991a,b). The experimental data were analyzed with the help of 2D numerical simulations, using the 2D Euler code “NUTCY.” Good agreement was obtained between numerical and experimental results. In the first case the rate of foil “enlightment” is defined by transversal displacement of matter (“drilling effect”). With allowance for the effect of “hot spots formations” it was possible to explain the burn through of thick foils and low laser energy at the rear side of films in “PICO” facility experiments (“microdrilling effect”). The methods of the diminishing of the influence of microdrilling effect (or “imprint” effect) on the nonuniformity of ablation pressure are discussed.