Measurements and interpretation of the absorption of 0.35 μm laser radiation on planar targets

Abstract We report on experimental plasma absorption of 0.35 μm radiation incident on plane targets. Absorption fractions between 50 and 98% were found for UV pulses of 90 and 450 ps duration on planar CH, nickel, and gold targets for intensities between 10 13 and 3 × 10 15 W/cm 2 . The results are in agreement with computer calculations using inverse bremsstrahlung absorption and a thermal electron heat flux limiter between 0.03 and 0.06