Perturbation transfer from the front to rear surface of laser-irradiated targets

We present experimental results on the perturbation transfer of laser irradiated planar foils. Perturbed polystyrene foils were irradiated directly by laser at intensity of 6 x 10(13) W/cm(2). We measured perturbations on the foils by side-on x-ray backlighting technique. Perturbations on the rear surface due to the rippled shock front were observed just after the shock breakout. We also observed feed-through of perturbations on the laser-irradiated surface that grows due to the Rayleigh-Taylor instability.