Angular distribution of laser light scattered from laser-produced plasma at high irradiance

Abstract

Angular distributions of scattered laser light from Nd‐laser‐produced plasma at irradiances of 10¹⁵–10¹⁶ W/cm² were measured. Total reflectivities in the range 20–50% are found. The total reflectivity remains approximately constant as the target is rotated from normal incidence up to 50°–60°, implying the existence of a steep density gradient near the critical density and/or absorption of laser light in the underdense region of the plasma.