The Laser Shock Station in the Dynamic Compression Sector

The Laser Shock Station in the Dynamic Compression Sector [Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory] links a laser-driven shock compression platform with high energy x-ray pulses from the APS to achieve \textit{in-situ}, time-resolved x-ray diffraction measurements in materials subjected to well-characterized, high stress, short duration planar shock waves. The laser shock driver, a highly reproducible, 100J laser system (351nm) with pulse shaping, beam shaping and smoothing, and energy tuning capabilities, produces shock waves in samples over a broad range of stresses. Synchronization of the laser-generated shock wave to within 300ps of a single x-ray pulse allows detailed investigations of shock-induced structural changes at the atomistic level (with simultaneous continuum measurements using laser interferometry). With the capability of one shot every 30 minutes, the Laser Shock Station offers a highly versatile and productive platform for dynamic compression science. A detailed description of this capability -- along with representative results -- will be presented. Work supported by DOE/NNSA.