Characterization of an ultradense reproducible Z pinch

Abstract

The apparent complexity of the laser‐plasma coupling in laser fusion target irradiation has stimulated the need for carefully controlled experimental studies of the laser‐plasma interaction at the critical surface. A helium Z pinch has been constructed which produces a high density plasma, independent of the laser, enabling the separation of the laser‐plasma interaction physics from the plasma formation mechanism. Its peak electron density (4×1019 cm−3), critical density scale length (70–200 μ), and temperature (∼25 eV) make it suitable for simulating and studying laser‐pellet interaction mechanisms at CO2 laser wavelengths. Detailed numerical modelling of these experiments was employed as a check against our diagnostics, as well as providing physical insight in those ranges of experimental parameters where measurements were not made.