The transport of relativistic, laser-produced electrons in matter - Part 1

Abstract

This chapter gives a review of experimental results, which have been obtained in the last 10 years concerning the generation of very large relativistic currents of "fast" electrons in laser-matter interactions at ultra high intensities, and their propagation in matter. This subject is a key issue in the research concerning the new "fast ignition" approach to inertial confinement fusion. In particular, this chapter deals with the problems of fast electron generation (conversion efficiency of laser energy into energy of the fast electron beam, scaling of fast electron " temperature" vs. laser intensity; shape of the electron distribution function) and with the discussion of collisional effects vs. collective effects (due to electric and magnetic fields) in propagation, including the dependence of collective effects on material characteristics. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.