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Published on: July 2, 2012
Theory of K(alpha) generation by femtosecond laser-produced hot electrons in thin foils
D Salzmann1, Ch Reich, I Uschmann
1Abteilung Röntgenoptik, Institut für Optik und Quantenelektronik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Max-Wien-Platz 1, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
An analytical model of femtosecond K(alpha) x-ray generation from laser-irradiated foils is presented. Expressions are found for the photon emission yield in both forward and backward directions in integral form as a function of hot-electron temperature and target thickness. It is found that for any given target material, there is a foil thickness and a hot-electron temperature at which the K(alpha) emission is maximized. Conversion efficiencies are consistent with contemporary measurements of K(alpha) radiation produced with femtosecond lasers.
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