Multi-layered flyer ͑aluminum-polyimide-tantalum͒ is designed as a high speed flyer making use of shock impedance matching and reverberation techniques. The designed three layered targets have been irradiated using a 20 J laser beam. Flyer velocities are measured by observing the flyer impact emissions on glass step targets within a 500 m laser focal spot at laser intensities 5ϫ10 12 -2 ϫ10 13 W/cm 2 . Thin ͑0.5-1.0 m͒ Ta layers of the flyers are accelerated via shock reverberations between the

more »

... thick polyimide and thin Ta layers for the first time using laser induced shock waves. Their velocities are measured to be more than 13 km/s with a good hydrodynamic stability. The obtained velocity is faster than the ones obtained by a conventional flyer method such as a double gas gun.