The Physics of Confined Laser Ablation and Its Applications

Wesley Keller | 19-ERD-027

Executive Summary

We are performing an experimental and computational investigation of confined laser ablation, a process in which plasma generated from laser-material interactions is "tamped" or contained, increasing shocks delivered to target materials. Extending our understanding of this process, with the goal of more efficiently producing high-pressure impulses, would benefit areas such as high explosives science, materials processing, and shock physics materials studies.