Characteristics of ion flows from laser irradiated plane targets

Abstract

Studies of ion flows from laser irradiated plane aluminium targets show that the ion velocity V scales with irradiance level I and optical focal spot diameter Phi , as V varies as I0.2 Phi 0.3. Edge effects due to lateral heat conduction cannot be ignored for focal spot sizes Phi <or approximately=1 mm. Estimates of mass ablation rates m and ablation pressure P show a scaling with irradiance as m varies as I0.6 and P varies as I0.8.