Abstract

We are investigating the nonlinear interaction of laser generated x-rays with material. The goal is to observe one of the simplest nonlinear processes, i.e., the two-photon ionization of the K-shell of an atom. We intend to use the H- and He-like aluminum x-ray lines (1.5-1.8 keV) generated by the interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with aluminum targets. A preliminary estimate of the two photon ionization cross section indicates that an experimental observation of this process is feasible.

© 1993 Optical Society of America