Plasma production from ultraviolet-transmitting targets using subpicosecond ultraviolet radiation

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Laser-Matter Interaction
• Atomic Physics

Background:

• Understanding plasma generation is crucial for inertial confinement fusion and materials science.
• High-intensity, short-pulse lasers enable unique plasma conditions.
• Accurate modeling of laser-target interactions is essential for experimental interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate X-ray emission from plasma generated by intense ultraviolet laser irradiation of solid targets.
• To validate laser-target interaction models under specific experimental conditions.
• To study H-like and He-like ionization states of magnesium and silicon.

Main Methods:

• Irradiation of ultraviolet-transmitting solid targets with intense (>10^16 W/cm^2) subpicosecond (approx. 600 fs) ultraviolet (248 nm) laser pulses.
• Experimental setup designed to avoid prepulse plasma generation.
• Time and spatially integrated measurements of X-ray emission.
• Comparison of experimental results with LASNEX code simulations.

Main Results:

• Observed X-ray emission spectra for H-like and He-like Mg and Si.
• Experimental measurements were found to be in agreement with LASNEX calculations.
• The study successfully modeled laser-target interactions under the specified conditions.

Conclusions:

• The study confirms the validity of LASNEX simulations for modeling X-ray emission from laser-produced plasmas.
• Provides experimental data supporting theoretical models of high-intensity laser-plasma interactions.
• Highlights the importance of controlled experimental conditions for accurate plasma diagnostics.