Role of the diode plasma in shock-wave generation in targets irradiated by the Kalmar high-current electron beam

This paper presents the results of a study of some features of the interaction of a high-current electron beam with targets in the Kalmar installation, equipped with a compact diode gap. The diagnostic equipment installed on the experimental setup made it possible to simultaneously record streak images of both laser shadow photography of waves propagating in a transparent target and diode plasma radiation. Experiments with transparent targets demonstrate that shock waves can be generated in the target not only due to unloading of the beam absorption region but also by the direct impact of the diode plasma on its surface. Thus, the obtained results demonstrate the need to take into account the influence of diode plasma when analyzing experimental data. Numerical simulation confirms that the temperature and pressure of the diode plasma can reach extreme values enough to induce additional shock waves in the samples, leading to their destruction.