INTERACTION OF SHORT LASER PULSES WITH SOLID MATERIALS

The plasma production from a solid by means of an energetic ( approximately=10 J) short light pulse ( tau approximately=10-11 sec) is studied theoretically. It has been found that the irradiation of a massive target results in the production of a hot spot with a lifetime comparable to the equipartition time of the energy between electrons and ions. The conditions for an efficient heating of small pellets are given. Some reasons for the absorption of the light in a collisionless regime are considered.