Kinetic Energies of Ions Produced by Laser Giant Pulses

Abstract

Kinetic energies of ions produced by focusing laser ``giant pulses'' on surfaces of Li, LiH, Be, C, Al, S, Zn, and Ag were measured. The mean-squared ion velocity and the velocity squared of the highest-energy ions detected are presented as a function of laser ``giant pulse'' peak intensity. The mean squared ion velocity increased proportionally to approximately the square root of the ``giant pulse'' peak intensity for the lower atomic weight materials, and varied with approximately the 0.33 power of the intensity for the higher atomic weight materials. Average ion kinetic energies as high as 2000 eV were detected.