Hot Electron Diagnostic in a Solid Laser Target by K-Shell Lines Measurement from Ultra-Intense Laser-Plasma Interactions R=1.06 (micron)m, 3x10 W/cm -2(less than or equal to) 500 J

Characterization of hot electron production (a conversion efficiency from laser energy into electrons) from ultra intense laser-solid target interaction by observing molybdenum (Mo) K{beta} as well as K{alpha} emissions from a buried fluorescence tracer layer in the targets has been done. The experiments used 1.06 {micro}m laser light with an intensity of from 2 x 10{sup 18} up to 3 x 10{sup 20} W cm{sup -2} (20-0.5 ps pulse width) and an on target laser energy of 280-500 J. The conversion efficiency from the laser energy into the energy, carried by hot electrons, has been estimated to be {approx}50% for the 0.5 ps shots at an on-target laser intensity of 3 x 10{sup 20} W cm{sup -2}, which increased from {approx}30% at 1 x 10{sup 19} W cm{sup -2} 5 ps shots and {approx} 12% at 2 x 10{sup 18} W cm{sup -2} 20 ps shots.