Laser shocking a shock wave for nonlinear summation of GPa pressures
Phys. Rev. E 113, 015502 – Published 15 January, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/r5wy-znw4
Abstract
We present a tabletop method to investigate how tailored laser excitation can enhance shock wave generation in water. By delivering two spatiotemporally separated laser pulses focused into a confined liquid layer, we identify an optimized excitation condition that maximizes the resulting shock pressure. Remarkably, dual-pulse laser excitation leads to an overall shock pressure that far exceeds the sum of the shock pressures generated by the individual pulses. This nonlinear amplification reveals a previously unexploited laser-matter interaction regime that overcomes saturation limits in laser-driven shock generation.
