Accurate measurement of the velocity history of a laser-driven foil plate with a push-pull-type VISAR

We describe a technique that provides high time resolution and high accuracy in. the velocity-history measurement by coupling an electronic streak camera with a push-pull-type velocity interferometer system for any reflector. This technique shows strong potential for the study of the dynamic process associated with a rapid velocity change, such as the acceleration of a foil plate driven by a pulsed laser beam. Also, by using a micrometer-size spot optical probe, we demonstrate the acceleration histories of Al 10-mum-thick foil plates at laser intensities ranging from 30 to similar to 400 GW/cm(2) with a subnanosecond time resolution and within a 1-2% error for peak velocity. (C) 2001 Optical Society of America.