Numerical Simulations of Laser-Induced Shock Experiments on Graphite

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Plasma Physics
• Computational Physics

Background:

• Particle accelerators require robust materials capable of withstanding extreme conditions.
• Accidental scenarios in high-energy physics experiments can generate intense shockwaves.
• High-power laser impacts offer a promising method for material testing under shockwave conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and calibrate a numerical approach for simulating laser-induced spallation damage in graphite.
• To analyze the dynamic response of graphite under high-power laser irradiation.
• To support future experimental campaigns at the Petawatt High-Energy Laser for Heavy Ion Experiments (PHELIX).

Main Methods:

• A two-step numerical procedure was employed.
• Step 1: Modeling laser-matter interaction and plasma ablation.
• Step 2: Simulating shockwave propagation and spall fragmentation within graphite.

Main Results:

• The numerical model was calibrated using existing experimental data for graphite.
• Simulations successfully reproduced the dynamic response of graphite to laser impacts.
• The model demonstrated satisfactory performance across various laser intensities and sources.

Conclusions:

• The developed numerical approach effectively simulates laser-induced shockwave phenomena in graphite.
• The findings provide a valuable tool for predicting material behavior under extreme conditions.
• This research aids in the design and safety assessment of structures used in high-energy physics.