Nail-Like Targets for Laser-Plasma Interaction Experiments

The interaction of ultrahigh power picosecond laser pulses with solid targets is of interest both for benchmarking the results of hybrid particle in cell codes and also for applications in reentrant cone guided fast ignition. We describe the construction of novel targets in which copper/titanium wires are formed into "nail-like" objects by a process of melting and micromachining so that energy can be reliably coupled to a 24-mum-diameter wire. An extreme-ultraviolet image of the interaction of the Titan laser with such a target is shown.