Fast electron production in ultra-short high-intensity laser-plasma interaction and its consequences

The development of high-energy, high-power ultra-short laser pulses in the 1 TW to 1 PW range has initiated a number of studies on the mechanisms of interaction between a laser and a plasma at very high (relativistic) intensities. In this new regime, a large fraction of the laser energy is transferred to ultra-short bunches of collimated relativistic electrons. Protons or heavier ions dragged by these electron jets can also be accelerated inside as well as outside the target. Moreover, the interaction of these electrons with various types of materials gives rise to powerful sources of x-rays and gamma -rays and to a large number of nuclear reactions. These interactions can result in the emission of neutrons and positrons and in the production of nuclear isotopes and other types of particles.