Experimental study of a subpicosecond pulse laser interacting with metallic and dielectric targets.

We have studied laser absorption, hot electron emission, and the energy spectrum of hot electrons produced during the interaction of a 150 fs, 5 mJ, 800 nm p-polarized laser pulse at 8x10(15) W/cm(2) with metallic and dielectric target materials. Because dielectric targets are much less conductive, the charge separation potential in dielectric targets is higher than that of metallic targets. This leads to a smaller laser absorption, fewer emitted electrons, and a lower hot electron temperature in dielectric than in metallic targets.