Early-time hydrodynamic response of a tin droplet driven by laser-produced plasma

We experimentally and numerically investigate the early-time hydrodynamic response of tin microdroplets driven by a ns-laser-induced plasma. Experimentally, we use stroboscopic microscopy to record laser-induced dynamics liquid droplets determine propulsion speed $(U)$ initial radial expansion rate $({\stackrel{\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}}{R}}_{0})$. The ratio these two quantities is key parameter be optimized for applications in nanolithography, where laser-impacted serve as targets generating extreme ultraviolet light. explore large space influence droplet diameter, laser beam energy on ${\stackrel{\ifmmode \.{}\fi{}}{R}}_{0}/U$ ratio. find good agreement when comparing obtained $U$ \.{}\fi{}}{R}}_{0}$ values those detailed radiation-hydrodynamic simulations using RALEF-2D. From validated simulations, extract spatial distribution plasma-driven pressure impulse at droplet-plasma interface quantify its partitioning kinetic channeled into or deformation. Our findings demonstrate that width sole pertinent extracting partitioning, which ultimately determines late-time target morphology. between our full modeling generalized analytical fluid-dynamics model [H. Gelderblom et al., J. Fluid Mech. 794, 676 (2016)]. These can used optimize partition tailor features nanolithography.