Momentum Transfer Produced by Focused Laser Giant Pulses

Abstract

The momentum transfer caused by focusing a laser ``giant pulse'' on a surface in a vacuum was studied. A simple pendulum was used for measuring the momentum. Data obtained for Be, C, Al, Zn, Ag, and W show the light intensity which gives maximum momentum transfer per unit of laser energy, and the decrease in momentum transfer as the light intensity is increased. The maximum shock pressures generated in the target materials were estimated to range from 6×10⁵ to 10⁶ bars, depending on the material.