Radiation heating in laser-irradiated planar targets

Abstract

Planar targets of different Z were irradiated with 0.53 μm laser light at intensities ≤5×1013 W/cm2. The target rear surface was observed to be first heated by the laser-generated shock wave. This was followed by a strong second heating which was attributed to radiation transport through the decompressed target. This additional heating might also be responsible for enhancing early laser transmission through thick targets.