Laser-driven plasma loader for shockless compression and acceleration of samples in the solid state.

A new method for shockless compression and acceleration of solid materials is presented. A plasma reservoir pressurized by a laser-driven shock unloads across a vacuum gap and piles up against an Al sample thus providing the drive. The rear surface velocity of the Al was measured with a line VISAR, and used to infer load histories. These peaked between approximately 0.14 and 0.5 Mbar with strain rates approximately 10(6)-10(8) s(-1). Detailed simulations suggest that apart from surface layers the samples can remain close to the room temperature isentrope. The experiments, analysis, and future prospects are discussed.

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