Experimental investigation of shock wave pressure induced by a ns laser pulse under varying confined regimes

Joanna Radziejewska , Marek Strzelec , Roman Ostrowski , A. Sarzyński

Abstract

The article presents a study of shock waves induced by a nanosecond laser pulse in samples in the form of steel plates. Its contents include a description of the measurement system, methods of calculations and some characteristics of the measuring instruments and materials used. The quoted formulas enabled the processing of recorded measurement signals. The influence of material used as a confining layer (glass, PMMA - Plexiglass, water) and substrate (PMMA, aluminium, steel) on the amplitude and shape of recorded pressure waves was studied. Pressure behind the shock wave measurements were conducted using piezoelectric polymer PVDF (polivinylidene fluoride) sensors. Verifications of PVDF results were conducted by the measurements of velocity of back sample surface by VISAR (Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector). A qualitative compliance between the PVDF's pressure and VISAR's velocity rescaled to pressure was achieved. The strains (about 0.3%) and strain rates (about 3 × 10⁵ 1/sec) were evaluated. The obtained results will allow for a better selection of test conditions for studying material properties by using a shock wave induced by the laser pulse.