Time-resolved electron-temperature measurement in a highly excited gold target using femtosecond thermionic emission

Abstract
We report direct measurement of hot-electron temperatures and relaxation dynamics for peak electron temperatures between 3400 and 11 000 K utilizing two-pulse-correlation femtosecond (fs) thermionic emission. The fast relaxation times (<1.5 ps) are described by extending RT characterizations of the thermal conductivity, electron-phonon coupling, and electronic specific heat to these high electron temperatures.