The evolution of large clusters under the action of ultra-short super-intense laser pulses

The evolution of large clusters exposed to a super-intense ultra-short lase r pulse is considered, Cluster excitation results from the interaction of t he electron subsystem with the laser field. Multiple ionization, X-ray emis sion, and harmonic generation in clusters irradiated by the laser field are reviewed. The increase in the electron temperature and that in the charge of the cluster ion an discussed. The reabsorption of X-ray photons is found to be relatively small. The optimal conditions are analyzed for the effici ent absorption of laser radiation by large clusters. This absorption occurs on the surface of the cluster only. The optical density of the cluster pla sma is found to be small for resonance radiative transitions of multicharge d atomic ions inside the cluster. Expansion and explosion of the cluster du ring and after the pulse are discussed.