Experimental study of the interaction of subpicosecond laser pulses with solid targets of varying initial scale lengths
- Laboratoire pour lUtilisation des Lasers Intenses, UMR 100 du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau (France)
- Laboratoire dOptique Appliquee, URA 1406 du Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Batterie de lYvette, 91761 Palaiseau (France)
We have studied experimentally the angular and energy distribution of the suprathermal electrons produced during the interaction of a 120 fs, 50 mJ, 800 nm, P-polarized laser pulse on SiO{sub 2} targets. A sharply collimated jet of electrons is observed in the laser specular reflection direction, in the plane of incidence, superimposed to an angularly uniform electron distribution. Electron energies are {approx}20 keV for a laser intensity of 4{times}10{sup 16} Wcm{sup {minus}2} and 45{degree} incidence angle. The electron jet is weaker and angularly broadened with the introduction of a laser prepulse controlling the electron density gradient scale length. Laser absorption and K{alpha} line intensity measurements show a maximum for a prepulse delay of {approx}6 ps with an electron energy rising to {approx}180 keV. Gradient scale length measurements at this prepulse delay fit the laser absorption peak scaling obtained from standard resonant absorption theory. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
- OSTI ID:
- 365477
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Vol. 56, Issue 6; Other Information: PBD: Dec 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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