Optical characteristics of the near-surface plasma initiated by high-power femtosecond laser pulses of different polarisation

The interaction of differently polarised femtosecond laser pulses with an intensity of 1015—1017 W cm-2 with the surface of a solid target was calculated theoretically. In the calculation of absorption of the laser radiation, the electrodynamic, hydrodynamic, and kinetic equations were solved in combination at the plasma—vacuum boundary. The dependences of plasma reflectivity on the intensity, polarisation, and the angle of incidence of laser radiation on the target were determined. A comparison with experimental data was made.