Experimental observation of a shock wave generated by soft-x-ray–driven ablation is reported. An aluminum foil was irradiated by soft x rays emitted from a gold plasma. At the soft x-ray intensity of 1.9×${10}^{12}$ C/${\mathrm{cm}}^2$, the shock velocity is measured to be 1.1×${10}^6$ cm/sec. The ablation pressure driving the shock wave is estimated to be 1.3 Mbar. This ablation pressure is in good agreement with the value determined independently from x-ray burn-through measurement.

• Received 28 December 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.60.1022