Studies of Laser-Driven Shock Waves in Aluminum

We have observed the structure and velocity of laser-driven shock waves in aluminum foils. We have measured shock velocities as high as 13 km/s and shock luminosity rise-times less than 50 ps, and we have inferred pressures of 200 GPa and shock-front thicknesses 0.7 \ensuremath{\mu}m. These results suggest that such techniques may be used for measuring equation-of-state parameters and studying the detailed structure of shock fronts.