Blast waves generated from laser irradiated cluster targets

Fukuda, Yuji; Marocchino, A.*; Romagnani, L.*; Levy, A.*; Jinno, Satoshi*   ; Lancia, L.*; Ravasio, A.*; Schiavi, A.*; Atzeni, S.*; Doria, D.*; Borghesi, M.*

We have investigated the dynamics of laser-produced blast waves in cluster targets by means of the combined use of two different diagnostics: optical probing (interferometry and Schlieren imaging) and proton probing. Interferometry and Schlieren imaging provided a spatially and temporally resolved mapping of the electron density and density gradient distributions. In addition, spatially and time-resolved proton probing provided mapping of the electric fields and charge density distributions in the plasma in the initial phase of plasma expansion and shock formation.