Shock pressure induced by 0.44 μm laser radiation on aluminum targets

Shock pressure generated in aluminum targets due to the interaction of 0.44 mum (3 omega of iodine laser) laser radiation has been studied. The laser intensity profile was smoothed using phase zone plates. Aluminum step targets were irradiated at an intensity I approximate to 10(14) W/cm(2). Shock velocity in the aluminum target was estimated by detecting the shock luminosity from the target rear using a streak camera to infer the shock pressure. Experimental results show a good agreement with the theoretical model based on the delocalized laser absorption approximation. In the present report, we explicitly discuss the importance, of target thickness on the shock pressure scaling.