Design of absolute equation of state measurements in optically thick materials by laser-driven shock waves

Some aspects of the design of a target for the absolute measurement of Equation-of-State data at pressure of tens of Mbar, in optically thick materials are discussed. In the proposed experiment, a shock wave is generated in a laser-irradiated sample, and the shock velocity and the material velocity behind the shock are simultaneously measured by the optical and X-ray diagnostics. Accurate measurements require the generation of a steady, planar shock, and the detection of the motion of a shocked fluid interface by transverse radiography. One- and two-dimensional numerical fluid simulations have been performed to optimize beam and target design, in order to fulfil such requirements. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.