Abstract
We have used a 60-mJ, 120-fs Ti:sapphire laser system to form a plasma that produces hard x-ray emission. The x-rays are predominantly in the 50-to 200-keV spectral range, yet extend beyond 1 MeV. To generate this radiation, we focus the laser to approximately a 3-µm spot onto a solid target, hence producing nearly 5×1058 W/cm2 We observe an energy conversion efficiency of 0.3%, The spectral energy distribution of the x-rays fits a 1/energy function, falling more rapidly above 400 keV. Our detection extends to 1 MeV, where we have not yet observed a spectral cutoff or a characteristic temperature. Since the radiation arises by bremsstrahlung emission from very hot electrons traversing the solid-density medium, we estimate that 20 to 40% of the incident laser energy is converted to energetic electrons.
© 1992 Optical Society of America
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