Spectra and angular distributions of electrons emitted from laser-produced plasmas

The spectra and angular distributions of high-energy electrons emitted from laser-produced plasmas have been measured. The plasmas were produced using short pulses from both CO2 and Nd : glass lasers to irradiate polyethylene slabs. For a CO2 laser intensity of approximately 3×1014 W/cm2 we find at least an order of magnitude greater energy conversion to high-energy electrons than with a Nd : glass laser intensity of approximately 5×1015 W/cm2. The angular distribution of electron emission is strongly peaked along the target normal (i.e., density gradient) and fine angular structure is observed.