Experiments were performed to measure mechanical pressures and total momenta imparted by pulsed HF laser radiation on different materials (aluminum AU4G, graphite 5890) under normal atmospheric conditions at peak power densities ranging from 107 W/cm2 to 8.107 W/cm2. The dynamical pressure measurements were obtained at the rear side of the targets by using piezoelectric PVDF gauges and by a ballistic pendulum as well for determining the mechanical coupling coefficients. Pressures of more than 100 bars and mechanical coupling coefficients up to 6 dyne.s/J were observed that were strongly depending on the type of material and upon the focussing conditions. Experimental data are compared with theorical models. These experiments revealed that at these peak power densities the mechanical effects were mainly induced by the propagation of laser supported absorption waves

Date Published: 1 February 1991
PDF: 4 pages
Proc. SPIE 1397, 8th Intl Symp on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers, (1 February 1991); doi: 10.1117/12.26027

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1397:
8th Intl Symp on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers
Concepcion Maroto Domingo; Jose M. Orza, Editor(s)