Measurement and Simulation of Laser Imprinting and Consequent Rayleigh-Taylor Growth

Abstract

High-resolution, high-contrast images have been obtained of the imprint of laser nonuniformity and subsequent Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) growth in planar foils driven by coherent and temporally incoherent light. The experimental results are well reproduced by three-dimensional radiation transport hydrodynamics simulations. The role of hydrodynamic motion within the target from early time is highlighted, and a period of RT growth during which longer modes dominate is isolated.