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Miniature shock tube for laser driven shocks
Michel Busquet1, Patrice Barroso, Thierry Melse
1LERMA, UMR 8112, Observatoire de Paris, CNRS and UPMC, 5 Place Jules Janssen, 92195 Meudon, France. michel.busquet@obspm.fr
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|March 3, 2010
Summary
Researchers designed a miniature shock tube for laboratory astrophysics. This device enables detailed optical and extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy of laser-driven radiative shocks in vacuum conditions.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Astrophysics
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Laboratory astrophysics aims to replicate cosmic phenomena.
- Studying radiative shocks requires specialized experimental setups.
- Previous methods lacked the resolution for detailed probing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the design of a novel miniature shock tube.
- To enable advanced optical and spectroscopic diagnostics.
- To facilitate the study of laser-launched radiative shocks.
Main Methods:
- Design and construction of a sub-cm³ shock tube.
- Integration into a vacuum vessel.
- Implementation of transverse optical probing.
- Utilization of backside extreme ultraviolet emission spectroscopy (100-500 Å).
Main Results:
- The miniature shock tube allows for in-situ measurements.
- Successful implementation of optical and EUV spectroscopy.
- Demonstrated capability for studying radiative shocks.
Conclusions:
- The developed shock tube is a valuable tool for laboratory astrophysics.
- Enables new insights into radiative shock physics.
- Opens avenues for further research in high-energy-density physics.
