Interaction of 1.06-μm Laser Radiation with Planar Targets

Parylene and tungsten-glass disks have been irradiated with a 1.06-μm laser at fluxes of ${10}^{13}$-${10}^{15}$ ${\mathrm{W}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^2$. Analysis of the experimental results indicates that the laser-plasma interaction was characterized by critical surface steepening, rippling and/or filamentation, polarization-dependent scattering, and efficient generation of superthermal electrons. These effects were significantly stronger in the tungsten-glass experiments.