Design and validation of the pressure amplifier: enabling multi-terapascal equation of state measurements on two-stage light gas guns

First Light Fusion (FLF) has developed a novel hydrodynamic pressure amplifier designed for high-energy-density (HED) research. This platform generates a planar, steady shock drive, essential for high-precision equation of state (EoS) measurements. Using this approach, we have developed an EoS measurement platform capable of reaching multi-terapascal (TPa) pressures on both two-stage light-gas guns and pulsed power drivers [1].

The design of the pressure amplifier, often containing a large number of free parameters, relies on the use of hydrocodes and efficient sampling and optimization techniques, developed in-house, to ensure that the strict requirements for EoS measurements are met. We present the process and techniques used for designing the pressure amplifier, as well as experimental data, demonstrating the ability to reach multi-TPa sample pressures for EoS measurements on a two-stage light gas gun.

The augmented pressure capabilities of gas gun and pulsed power experiments, enabled by the pressure amplifier, provide a key bridge to inertial confinement fusion (ICF) research. Furthermore, it facilitates direct cross-platform comparisons with high-power laser facilities, such as Omega and NIF, expanding the scope of HED studies.

[1] T. Kosteletos et al. “Bridging the pressure gap between pulsed power and laser facilities for equation of state platforms”, 67th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics (APS DPP 2025)