Supersonic Propagation of an Ionization Front in Low Density Foam Targets Driven by Thermal Radiation

Abstract
Observations of the sustained propagation of a supersonic ionization front, produced by an intense pulse of thermal radiation in low density foam targets, are reported. The position of the front was observed with a high resolution soft x-ray imaging system (at 50 and 70 Å), using 1D continuous streaks and 2D gated images. The experimental observations were in good agreement with 1D and 2D radiation hydrodynamic code simulations.