the order of ) ensured the film had no significant effect on the dynamics of the experiment. The rearmost portion of the target assembly held the collimating optical probe used to track the velocity of the Mylar surface. A sealed air gap between the Mylar surface and the probe allowed the liquid and Mylar to move freely during the experiment, which lasts on the order of . The dimensions of the target assembly were chosen such that waves caused by the interaction of the impact-driven shock wave with the boundaries of the liquid did not reach the central axis in time to interfere with the spall measurement, thus ensuring that the strain remained uniaxial. The target assembly was fastened in a manner which ensured that the Mylar sheet was taut and free of wrinkles and was mounted onto a flange on the end of the gas gun launch tube in order to ensure a planar impact. Face-seal o-rings and stopcock valves were used to seal the target assembly, which allowed the target chamber to be evacuated to a 200 Pa Helium atmosphere before the shot, while maintaining a 1 atm environment within the target assembly. A labelled schematic of the 