Explanations for the observed increase in fast electron penetration in laser shock compressed materials
We analyze recent experimental results on the increase of fast electron penetration in shock compressed plastic [Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 1003 (1998)]. It is explained by a combination of stopping power and electric field effects, which appear to be important even at laser intensities as low as 10(16) W cm-2. An important conclusion is that fast electron induced heating must be taken into account, changing the properties of the material in which the fast electrons propagate. In insulators this leads to a rapid insulator to conductor phase transition.
Batani
D
Dipartimento di Fisica G. Occhialini, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Bicocca and INFM, Italy.
Davies
JR
Bernardinello
A
Pisani
F
Koenig
M
Hall
TA
Ellwi
S
Norreys
P
Rose
S
Djaoui
A
Neely
D