The impedance mismatch technique was used for shock pressure
amplification in two layered planar foil targets. Numerical simulation
results using one-dimensional (1D) radiation hydrocode MULTI in two layer
target consisting of polyethylene (CH2)n-aluminium
(Al) and polyethylene (CH2)n-gold (Au), show a
pressure enhancement of 12 and 18 Mbar, respectively (or a pressure jump
of 1.64 and 2.54, respectively), from initial pressure of 7 Mbar in the
reference material (polyethylene) using laser intensity of 5 ×
1013 Watts/cm2 at 1.064 μm. The simulation
data was also corroborated by experiments in our laboratory. Results of
laser driven shock wave experiments for pressure enhancement studies in
CH2-Al and CH2-Au targets are also presented. A
Nd:YAG laser chain (2 J, 1.064 μm wavelength, 200 ps pulse duration
FWHM) is used for generating shocks in the planar CH2 foils of
thickness varying from 4 to10 μm, and in two layered CH2-Al
(or CH2-Au) targets with 8 μm CH2 and 1.5 μm
Al or Au .