Laser-produced-plasma energy transport through plastic films

Abstract

The transport of energy from a 1.06-μm, 95-psec laser pulse at an irradiance of 1015 W/cm2 through a thin layer of polystyrene into an Al substrate was studied by x-ray, ion, and scattered-light measurements. The intensities of the following quantities were measured as a function of polystyrene thickness: (1) x-ray line radiation from the Al backing, (2) bremsstrahlung continuum from 3 to 88 keV, (3) ions of several keV energy, and (4) scattered laser light. The results indicate that a polystyrene thickness of no more than 0.5 μm is sufficient to inhibit substantial heating of the Al substrate.