Raman scattering in experiments with planar Au targets irradiated with 0.53 μm laser light

Abstract

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) was studied in experiments with laser‐irradiated Au disk targets. Typically the laser energy was 150 J in a 1.0 nsec pulse at a wavelength of 526 nm. Laser intensity at the target was ∼7×10¹⁴ W/cm². The spectrum, angular distribution, onset time, duration, and intensity of the Raman light were measured. In addition the electron density distribution was determined by holographic interferometry and images of the Raman emission were obtained. These data show that the Raman light is primarily backscattered and that scattering occurs at electron plasma densities 0.01 n_c ≤n≤0.15n_c. SRS occurred at laser intensities which are below theoretical thresholds, given the plasma conditions. Otherwise, most of the data support the present understanding of Raman scattering.