Experimental determination of temperature-dependent electron-electron collision frequency in isochorically heated warm dense gold

Abstract

A time and polarization resolved reflective interferometry measurement on femtosecond laser heated gold is presented. We deduced the electron momentum damping frequency, the conduction electron density, and finally the electron temperature in the 0.6-5eV range in out of equilibrium, solid density warm dense gold. This allows the experimental determination of the electron-electron collision frequency variation with the electron temperature in warm dense matter conditions. The comparison with several models shows the importance of properly taking into account the d-band electrons in noble metals. © 2014 American Physical Society.