MULTIWAVELENGTH LASER SOLID-TARGET INTERACTION AT 10 MICRONS

Some aspects of multiple-wavelength interaction on solid targets have been experimentally studied at CO//2-laser wavelengths with 1-nsec pulses. Contrary to predictions, the use of a two-line (10. 6- and 9. 6- mu m) source does not reduce the back reflection. This result could be explained by a very short Brillouin interaction length and/or a very low saturation level. The hot-electron production is also not significantly modified by multiline illumination. Significant sidebands were measured at 8. 7 and 12 mu m. Some 1 one-half -dimensional simulations with mobile ions indicate that those sidebands probably originate from the beat frequency resonant density at 0. 0123n//c.