Laser light absorption in long-pulse high-irradiance experiments

Abstract
The fractional absorption of 1.06‐μm‐wavelength, 3‐nsec‐duration laser pulses in gold and aluminum targets was measured over the intensity range 1013–1016 W/cm2. Absorption was found to be z dependent with the stimulated scatter being independent of z. Absorption at the higher intensities was found to be limited by increased stimulated scatter rather than by decreased efficiency of the absorption mechanisms.