Linear surface photoelectric effect of gold in intense laser field as a possible high-current electron source

Investigations were conducted on radiation‐induced electron emission processes on a gold target surface with a high‐intensity (2 MW/cm2) KrF laser (λ=248 nm). The single photon surface photoelectric emission obtained can be used for high‐current density electron sources. The measured polarization dependence of electron current shows the dominance of the surface‐type effect over that of the volume type, thereby making it possible to optimize the short, high‐density electron current creation conditions. The advantage of the grazing light incidence and the multiphoton photoeffect giving rise to a 500 A/cm2 electron current has been demonstrated.