Shock drive capabilities of a 30-Joule laser at the matter in extreme conditions hutch of the Linac Coherent Light Source.

We measure the shock drive capabilities of a 30 J, nanosecond, 527 nm laser system at the matter in extreme conditions hutch of the Linac Coherent Light Source. Using a velocity interferometer system for any reflector, we ascertain the maximum instantaneous ablation pressure and characterize its dependence on a drive laser spot size, spatial profile, and temporal profile. We also examine the effects of these parameters on shock spatial and temporal uniformity. Our analysis shows the drive laser capable of generating instantaneous ablation pressures exceeding 160 GPa while maintaining a 1D shock profile. We find that slope pulses provide higher instantaneous ablation pressures than plateau pulses. Our results show instantaneous ablation pressures comparable to those measured at the Omega Laser Facility in Rochester, NY under similar optical drive parameters. Finally, we analyze how optical laser ablation pressures are compare with known scaling relations, accounting for variable laser wavelengths.