Isochoric heating of copper to Warm Dense Matter state using protons produced through laser solid-laser interactions

This thesis examines the equation of state of copper at Warm Dense Matter states, between 1-100 eV and .1-10 times solid density. Protons accelerated off a thin metal foil irradiated with a high intensity laser beam flash heat solid density copper to between 5-10 eV before significant expansion occurs. The measured temperature and expansion are compared against simulations using various equations of states. The production and characterization of the laser system and proton beam used to heat the matter is also presented.