7A11 - Laser induced emission of electrons, ions, and X rays from solid targets

Abstract

We have first studied the spatial distribution of electrons and ions emitted from a solid target when hit by a focused,Q-switched laser beam. The particle emission is highly anisotropic. In a second experiment we have analyzed the ion energy for various targets such as beryllium, carbon, and molybdenum. For each target element, evidence for multicharged ions has been shown as a function of laser intensity. With a laser flux at the target surface of6 \times 10^{10}W/cm², the maximum ion energy obtained is about 2 keV. Finally, we have shown that particle emission is accompanied by X-ray emission.