Electron temperature and soft x-ray intensity scaling in laser heavy element plasma interaction

Abstract

We achieved a relative optically thin state in laser-produced heavy element plasmas at determined electron temperatures, which has been predicted by power balance and collisional-radiative models. We also mapped the power-loss processes in sub-nanosecond and nanosecond laser-produced high-Z plasmas. The electron temperature evaluation was in good agreement with the power balance model and was supported by the spectral analysis. The output flux in the soft x-ray region was stronger at a higher critical density.