Design and characterization of supersonic nozzles for wide focus laser-plasma interactions

Rev Sci Instrum. 2009 Oct;80(10):103301. doi: 10.1063/1.3233895.

Abstract

In this work we optimize the contour of supersonic nozzles to produce long and stable gas jets suitable to be used in loose focus laser-plasma applications. The nozzle design method takes into account the inclusion of a boundary layer that increases the length of the usable gas jet. Two 8 mm supersonic nozzles were characterized, one with a Mach number of 3 and another with a Mach number of 6, using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer performed with a He:Ne 4 cm expanded laser beam. The experimental results confirm that the inclusion of the boundary layer produces an 8 mm constant longitudinal density profile for the nozzle with a Mach number of 6 (NM6) and a 4.5 mm constant longitudinal density profile for the nozzle with a Mach number of 3 (NM3).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design / methods*
  • Gases
  • Hot Temperature
  • Interferometry
  • Lasers*
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Gases