Attenuation of laser-generated shock waves in Plexiglas

A simple analytic model is derived for describing the attenuation of a shock wave in a Plexiglas plate. At the same time, experimental measurements are presented with a well-designed opticalfiber sensor based on detection-beam deflection. The amplitude of the shock-wave pressure is measured experimentally and calculated numerically for analytic expressions at different distances from the region of the surface breakdown by the radiation of a single-pulse Nd:YAG laser. Good agreement between the experimental and the calculated values of the shock-wave pressure is established.