Optical smoothing for shock-wave generation: Application to the measurement of equations of state

Experimental results are presented on shock-wave generation in solid samples, irradiated directly by optically smoothed laser beams. Random phase plates and phased zone plates have been successfully used. In particular, the last technique allowed the production of uniform shock fronts that have been used for equation of state experiments at pressures above 10 Mbar. Pressures higher than 35 Mbar were achieved in gold, by using laser pulses with energy E approximate to 100 J, and structured, two-step, two-material targets.