The two-temperature, 2D hydrodynamic code Hydro–ELectro–IOnization–2–Dimensional (HELIO2D), which takes into account self-consistently the laser energy absorption in a target, ionization, heating, and expansion of the created plasma is elaborated. The wide-range two-temperature equation of state is developed and used to model the metal target dynamics from room temperature to the conditions of weakly coupled plasma. The simulation results are compared and demonstrated a good agreement with experimental data on the Mg target being heated by laser pulses of the nanosecond high-energy laser for heavy ion experiments (NHELIX) at Gesellschaft fur Schwerionenforschung. The importance of using realistic models of matter properties is demonstrated.

The irradiation of thin films by intensive subpicosecond laser pulses with nanosecond prepulse is accompanied by a number of various physical processes. The laser beam transmissions through the film as well as the re-emission flux on both sides of the film plasma have been evaluated by simulation for Al and CH2 materials. It has been demonstrated that the thickness of the film can be chosen to cut off the long nanosecond prepulse whereas the main pulse is transmitted through the plasma. Thus, thin films can be useful for the laser contrast improvement in experiments with different targets.

Nevertheless, the laser energy transformation into the soft X-ray radiation on the back side of the shielding film plasma can reach up to 7% of the incident intensity for the Al film and result in strong preheating of the target. At the same time the re-emission flux produced by a CH2 film is an order lower than that in the case of Al film. The shielding of an Ag bulk target by Al and CH2 films is simulated and discussed.