EXPLOSION OF ATOMIC CLUSTERS HEATED BY HIGH-INTENSITY FEMTOSECOND LASER-PULSES

We have experimentally and theoretically studied the high-intensity (> 10(16) W cm(-2)), femtosecond photoionization of inertially confined n oble-gas clusters. We have examined the energies of electrons and ions ejected during these interactions and found that particles with subst antial kinetic energy are generated. Electrons with energies up to 3 k eV and ions with energies of up to 1 MeV have been observed. These exp erimental observations are well explained by a theoretical model of th e cluster as a small plasma sphere that explodes following rapid elect ron collisional heating by the intense laser pulse. [S1050-2947(97)029 12-0].