Blast waves have been produced in solid target by irradiation with short-pulse high-intensity lasers. The mechanism of production relies on energy deposition from the hot electrons produced by laser–matter interaction, producing a steep temperature gradient inside the target. Hot electrons also produce preheating of the material ahead of the blast wave and expansion of the target rear side, which results in a complex blast wave propagation dynamic. Several diagnostics have been used to characterize the hot electron source, the induced preheating and the velocity of the blast wave. Results are compared to numerical simulations. These show how blast wave pressure is initially very large (more than 100 Mbar), but it decreases very rapidly during propagation.

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in plasma in a non-eigenmode regime is studied theoretically and numerically. Different from normal SRS with the eigen electrostatic mode excited, the non-eigenmode SRS is developed at plasma density $n_{e}>0.25n_{c}$ when the laser amplitude is larger than a certain threshold. To satisfy the phase-matching conditions of frequency and wavenumber, the excited electrostatic mode has a constant frequency around half of the incident light frequency $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}_{0}/2$, which is no longer the eigenmode of electron plasma wave $\unicode[STIX]{x1D714}_{pe}$. Both the scattered light and the electrostatic wave are trapped in plasma with their group velocities being zero. Super-hot electrons are produced by the non-eigen electrostatic wave. Our theoretical model is validated by particle-in-cell simulations. The SRS driven in this non-eigenmode regime is an important laser energy loss mechanism in the laser plasma interactions as long as the laser intensity is higher than $10^{15}~\text{W}/\text{cm}^{2}$.

Enhancement of Kα yield from a metal foil covered with metal rods of submicron sizes, with low aspect ratio, irradiated by a p-polarized femtosecond laser pulses of about 1017 W/cm2 intensity is demonstrated. Obtained relative increase in Kα X-ray line emission is explained with a model of vacuum heating of fast electrons.

In the present paper we review the most recent degradation modes and mechanisms recently observed in AlGaN/GaN (Aluminum Gallium Nitride/Gallium Nitride). High Electron-Mobility Transistors (HEMTs), as resulting from a detailed accelerated testing campaign, based on reverse bias tests and DC accelerated life tests at various temperatures. Despite the large efforts spent in the last few years, and the progress in mean time to failure values, reliability of GaN HEMTs, and millimeter microwave integrated circuits still represent a relevant issue for the market penetration of these devices. The role of temperature in promoting GaN HEMT failure is controversial, and the accelerating degradation factors are largely unknown. The present paper proposes a methodology for the analysis of failure modes and mechanisms of GaN HEMTs, based on (i) DC and RF stress tests accompanied by an (ii) extensive characterization of traps using deep level transient spectroscopy and pulsed measurements, (iii) detailed analysis of electrical characteristics, and (iv) comparison with two-dimensional device simulations. Results of failure analysis using various microscopy and spectroscopy techniques are presented and failure mechanisms observed at the high electric field values typical of the operation of these devices are reviewed.

Fast electrons are effectively generated from solid targets of cone-geometry by irradiating intense laser pulses, which is applied to fast ignition scheme. For realizing optimal core heating by those electrons, understanding the characteristics of electrons emitted from cone targets is crucial. In this paper, in order to understand the generation and transport processes of hot electrons inside the cone target, two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations were carried out. It is shown that hot electrons form current layers which are guided by self-generated surface magnetic field, which results in effective energy transfer from laser pulse to hot electrons. When the hot electrons propagate through the steep density gradient at the cone tip, electrostatic field is induced via Weibel instability. As a result, hot electrons are confined inside and emitted gradually from the target, as an electron beam of long duration. Energy spectrum and temporal profile of hot electrons are also evaluated at the rear side of the target, where the profile of rear side plasma is taken from the fluid code and the result is sent to Fokker-Planck code.

It is shown that the effective hot electron temperature, Thot, associated with the energetic electrons produced during the interaction of an ultra-intense laser with thin solid targets is dependent on the thickness of the target. We report the first direct experimental observations of electron energy spectra obtained from laser-solid interactions that indicates the reflexing of electrons in thin targets results in higher electron temperatures than those obtained in thick target interactions. This can occur for targets whose thickness, xt, is less than about half the range of an electron at the energy associated with the initial effective electron temperature, provided the laser pulse length is at least cτp > 2xt. A simple theoretical model that demonstrates the physical mechanism behind this enhanced heating is presented and the results of computer simulations are used to verify the model.

The propagation of laser-generated hot electrons through matter and across narrow vacuum gaps is studied. We use the ATLAS titanium–sapphire laser of Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik to irradiate aluminum and copper foils at intensities of up to 1019 W/cm2, generating electrons with temperatures in the megaelectron volt range. After propagating through the target the electrons are detected by means of visible Čerenkov radiation generated in a dielectric or hard X-rays emitted from an X-ray “fluor.” These diagnostics allow the electrons to be characterized with respect to their energy, number, and directionality. We also investigate the propagation of the hot electrons across narrow vacuum gaps, with a width ranging from 500 μm down to 50 μm. The effect of self-generated fields in preventing electrons from crossing the gap is demonstrated. Implications of these experiments with respect to fast ignitor physics, developing optics for fourth-generation light sources and X-ray lasers are indicated.

Hot electrons may significantly influence interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with solids. Accurate consideration of resonant absorption of laser energy and hot electron generation at a critical surface was achieved through the developed physical and mathematical models. A two-dimensional (2D) ray-tracing algorithm has been developed to simulate laser beam refraction and Bremsstrahlung absorption with allowance for nonlinear influence of a strong electromagnetic field. Hot electron transport was considered as a straight-line flow weakening by a friction force calculated in the approximation of the average state of ionization. Developed models were coupled with the 2D Lagrangian gas dynamic code “ATLANT” that takes into account nonlinear heat transport. The developed program has been applied to simulate irradiation of Al foils by picosecond laser double pulses. Hot electron transport and heating resulted in thin foil explosions. The transition from the exploding foil regime to the ablative one with foil thickening has been simulated and analyzed at various values of laser light intensity. In second series of calculations we have modeled the interaction of a nanosecond iodine laser with a two-layered target.

The transport of hot electrons in solid density plasma created by a high-intensity subpicosecond laser pulse and the resulting heating and ionization of the bulk of plasma are simulated with the electron kinetic code “FPI.” Both the hot and the thermal electrons are treated kinetically. An analysis of the results in terms of a two Maxwellians fit to the numerically obtained distribution function is made.