DOI: 10.1209/epl/i2003-00118-y
Europhys. Lett., 61 (5) , pp. 632-638 (2003)

Cerenkov radiation diagnostics of hot electrons generated by fs-laser interaction with solid targets

F. Brandl^{1, 2}, G. Pretzler^{1, 2}, D. Habs² and E. Fill<sup>1

1</sup>  Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik Hans-Kopfermann-Str. 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
²  Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Am Coulombwall 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany

(Received 5 August 2002; accepted in final form 13 December 2002)

Abstract
A new method of diagnostics of hot electrons from a laser-produced plasma is experimentally demonstrated. Titanium-sapphire laser pulses (1 /130 ) irradiate copper foils backed by a dielectric. The energy distribution and direction of the hot electrons generated is determined by recording visible Cerenkov radiation with spatial resolution. The results demonstrate a change in the electron generation mechanism at relativistic intensities.

PACS
52.50.Jm - Plasma production and heating by laser beams (laser-foil, laser-cluster, etc.).
52.59.-f - Intense particle beams and radiation sources.
52.70.Kz - Optical (ultraviolet, visible, infrared) measurements.

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