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Fast electron heating of a solid target in ultrahigh-intensity laser pulse interaction
E Martinolli1, M Koenig, F Amiranoff
1Laboratoire pour l'Utilisation des Lasers Intenses, UMR7605, CNRS-CEA-Université Paris VI-Ecole Polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau, France.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|December 17, 2004
Summary
This study measures heating from fast electron beams generated by lasers interacting with targets. Temperatures up to 10 eV were observed, matching simulation predictions.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Laser-Plasma Interactions
Background:
- Fast electron beams are generated when intense ultrashort pulse lasers interact with solid targets.
- Understanding the transport and energy deposition of these beams is crucial for applications in materials processing and inertial confinement fusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally measure the induced heating caused by fast electron beam transport.
- To investigate the spatial characteristics and temperature of the heated zone on solid targets.
- To compare experimental findings with theoretical predictions from transport simulations.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing rear-side optical reflectivity and emissivity as diagnostics to measure the heated zone.
- Generating fast electron beams via ultrashort pulse laser interaction with solid targets.
- Employing hybrid collisional-electromagnetic transport simulations for comparison.
Main Results:
- Observed induced heating due to fast electron beam transport.
- Measured a narrow heated spot, comparable in size to the laser focus.
- Inferred target back surface temperatures up to approximately 10 electron volts (eV).
Conclusions:
- The experimental measurements provide valuable data on laser-driven fast electron beam heating.
- The observed heating spot size is consistent with the laser focal spot.
- The experimental results show good agreement with the hybrid transport simulations, validating the model.