Absorption and transformation of laser energy in picosecond laser-plasma experiments at intensity of 1016 to 1019 W/cm2

Abstract

The interaction of a 1053 nm picosecond laser pulse with a solid target for focused intensities of up to 1019 W/cm2 are studied by measurements of the absorption of the laser light in the plasma and by measurements of the production of hard x-rays. Absorption measurements are made by collecting the scattered light in set of calorimeters. Light scattered in backward and specular directions is collected separately. Measurements are presented for both high and low Z targets. Hard x-ray spectrum in range 15-1000 keV and hot electron production in range 1-22 MeV are measured using a multichannel filter/scintillator and filter/semiconductor spectrometers. Spatial parameters of fast ions are studied.