Assuming Fresnel absorption for s-polarized light and resonance absorp
tion for p-polarized light provides agreement with the significant fea
tures of subpicosecond high-intensity KrF laser-produced plasma experi
ments. These features include the s- and p-light angular dependence an
d magnitude of the reflectance. Dramatic differences exist in the thre
shold for emission of x-ray photons above 0.5 keV, the x-ray emission
intensity, and the efficiency for x-ray production by absorbed p and s
light. It is shown that resonant p-light absorption occurs at the las
er critical density and that the s-light absorption at a higher electr
on density causes more efficient x-ray production by p light than by s
light.