Problems of measurement of dense plasma heating in laser shock-wave compression

Experimental results of heating measurements of matter carried out in a stu dy of laser-driven shock waves in aluminum (Batani et al. 1997) are discuss ed. The measured temporal evolution of the "color" temperature of the rear surface of the target is compared with that computed by a numerical code. I t has been established that the target preheating can substantially affect optical signal features recorded from the rear side of the target, and cons equently influence upon the accuracy of temperature and pressure measuremen ts of the material behind the shock wave front.