Dynamic Response of Micron Sized Thick Foils to Laser Induced High Pressure Shock Waves

The dynamic response of micron sized thick metal aluminum, copper foils and black tape polymer confined with the glass substrate subjected to high pressure shock waves induced by high power pulsed lasers is studied. The high-pressure shock waves of the order of few GPa are generated by irradiating 10 ns, 532 nm Nd: YAG laser pulse energy of 25–500 mJ per pulse at the glass-film interface. The material response is characterized by observing the shock breakout times, ruptured area on the foil, shock velocities and rapid material ejection from the rear side of the foils. As the laser pulse interaction process varies for metals and polymers, the material response to the laser pulse will be different leading to the different dynamic shock pressure induced on the material surface. This results in difference in the response of the material to shock waves. Also, the laser interaction process is observed to be varying with respect to the incident laser pulse energy. As a result, the strength of the shock wave generated at the glass-film interface will be different due to the plasma formation taking place during the rising and leading edge of the laser pulses. Overall, the comparative analysis between the metals and polymers shows that the dynamic response of a material is strongly influenced by the physical and mechanical properties of a material. The shock breakout times, shock velocities and material ejection from the rear side of the foils are observed to be different for the absorbing polymer compared to Al and Cu foils.