Laser-driven hydrodynamic instability experiments*

An extensive series of experiments has been conducted on the Nova laser to measure hydrodynamic instabilities in planar foils accelerated by x-ray ablation. Single-mode experiments allow a measurement of the fundamental growth rates from the linear well into the nonlinear regime. Two-mode foils give a first direct observation of mode coupling. Surface-finish experiments allow a measurement of the evolution of a broad spectrum of random initial modes.