Experimental study of a subpicosecond pulse laser interacting with metallic and dielectric targets - art. no. 036403

We have studied laser absorption, hot electron emission, and the energy spe ctrum of hot electrons produced during the interaction of a 150 fs, 5 mJ, 8 00 nm p-polarized laser pulse at 8 x 10(15) W/cm(2) with metallic and diele ctric target materials. Because dielectric targets are much less conductive , the charge separation potential in dielectric targets is higher than that of metallic targets. This leads to a smaller laser absorption, fewer emitt ed electrons, and a lower hot electron temperature in dielectric than in me tallic targets.