Abstract

High Z targets have been irradiated with a high contrast 500 fs laser pulse (0.53 μm wavelength) at around 10¹⁷ W/cm². Experiments have been realized with the INRS Table Top Terawatt laser. The absence of prepulse allows us to produce hot ultra-dense plasmas which are very interesting for the development of ultrafast X-ray sources. L and M shell spectra of respectively Ge and Ta targets which have been recorded with a Von Hamos spectrometer, will be presented and analyzed. The effects of the laser plasma density gradient scale length and of the laser intensity on the high Z source brightness and duration will be discussed.

© 1993 Optical Society of America