Reflectivity of laser-produced plasmas generated by a high intensity ultrashort pulse*

Solid state density aluminum and carbon plasmas were generated by 350 fs KrF laser pulses at intensities of 1017 W cm−2. Reflectivity, x-ray emission, and spectra of the backscattered radiation were measured as a function of the laser polarization, angle of incidence, and intensity (I). For p-polarized light, the absorption (A) is almost intensity independent for 1015 W cm−2