A high-energy-density, high-Mach number single jet experiment

A high-energy-density, x-ray-driven, high-Mach number (M >= 17) single jet experiment shows constant propagation speeds of the jet and its bowshock into the late time regime. The jet assumes a characteristic mushroom shape with a stalk and a head. The width of the head and the bowshock also grow linearly in time. The width of the stalk decreases exponentially toward an asymptotic value. In late time images, the stalk kinks and develops a filamentary nature, which is similar to experiments with applied magnetic fields. Numerical simulations match the experiment reasonably well, but "exterior" details of the laser target must be included to obtain a match at late times. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3609829]