Explosion and Dynamic Transparency of Low-Density Structured Polymeric Targets Irradiated by a Long-Pulse KrF Laser

The hydrodynamics of plasma formed in the interaction of 100 ns UV KrF laser pulses with foam targets with volume densities from 5 to 500 mg/cm3 was studied. Initial and dynamic transmittance at 248 nm wavelength were measured. At intensities of about 1012 W/cm2, the propagation rates of radiation through foam targets reached 80 km/s, while plasma stream velocities from both the front and rear sides of targets were approximately the same, ~ 75 km/s, which confirms a volumetric absorption of radiation within the target thickness and the explosive nature of the plasma formation and expansion.