Recent results from experimental studies on laser-plasma coupling in a shock ignition relevant regime

We study the laser-plasma coupling in a SI relevant regime in a planar geometry by creating an extended preformed plasma with a laser beam at similar to 7 x 10(13) W cm(-2) (250 ps, 1315 nm). A strong shock is launched by irradiation with a second laser beam at intensities in the range 10(15)-10(16) W cm(-2) (250 ps, 438 nm) at various delays with respect to the first beam. The pre-plasma is characterized using x-ray spectroscopy, ion diagnostics and interferometry. Spectroscopy and calorimetry of the backscattered radiation is performed in the spectral range 250-850 nm, including (3/2)omega, omega and omega/2 emission. The fast electron production is characterized through spectroscopy and imaging of the K alpha emission. Information on the shock pressure is obtained using shock breakout chronometry and measurements of the craters produced by the shock in a massive target.