TEMPERATURE RELAXATION IN HOT-SPOTS IN A LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA

The study of temperature relaxation and ion acoustic wave excitation i n localized regions of intense laser field (hot spots) has been carrie d out for the conditions of inhibited electron thermal transport. We c onsider the fast energy deposition in a single cylindrical hot spot an d describe the following temperature and density relaxation using a pe rturbation approach and the nonlocal electron transport equations. We find a significant increase in the temperature relaxation time for hot spots with sizes comparable to the electron mean free path. Thermal d ecay of the hot spot together with the pondermotive effect of the lase r held on ions could also be a source of large density fluctuations in currently exploited laser-produced plasmas.