Measurements of the plasma temperature associated with the interactions of high power pulse lasers with materials

Summary Form only given, as follows. Investigations of the plasma parameters associated with plasma production by laser radiation of very high intensity have been made. In the experiment, 50-ns 5-J Nd-glass-laser pulses were focused onto plane targets of solid steel, aluminum, etc. The expansion speed and size of the plasma were measured. The electron temperature of the plasma was determined from measurements of the absorption through the plasma, the continuum radiation, and the radiation power in a finite frequency range. Buildup and decay of the plasma density were determined by interferometric techniques.<>