Numerical Simulations of Laser-Driven Cratering Experiments into Porous Graphite

Abstract

We present the results of an experimental campaign conducted on the LULI2000 laser facility. Semi-infinite targets of a commercial grade of porous graphite were submitted to high-power laser irradiation inorder to generate craters. A 15 ns pulse duration was used along with a focal spot diameter of 900 µm to deliver energies up to 750 J. Numerical simulations of these shots have been performed following a specificmethodology which can be divided in three steps. Firstly, the mechanical loading induced by the laser iscalibrated by simulating the same shot on a thin aluminum target of which free surface velocity is measured byPDV and line-VISAR. Secondly, the same shot is performed on a thin graphite target to validate the materialmodel of graphite. Thirdly, the craterization shot on semi-infinite target is simulated. Numerical results arecompared to experimental measurements of craters obtained using an interferometric profilometer.