The two-temperature, 2D hydrodynamic code Hydro–ELectro–IOnization–2–Dimensional (HELIO2D), which takes into account self-consistently the laser energy absorption in a target, ionization, heating, and expansion of the created plasma is elaborated. The wide-range two-temperature equation of state is developed and used to model the metal target dynamics from room temperature to the conditions of weakly coupled plasma. The simulation results are compared and demonstrated a good agreement with experimental data on the Mg target being heated by laser pulses of the nanosecond high-energy laser for heavy ion experiments (NHELIX) at Gesellschaft fur Schwerionenforschung. The importance of using realistic models of matter properties is demonstrated.

Characterization measurements and modes of operation of a novel, dual-gas multi-jet target, developed for experiments on high-order harmonic generation, are presented. The target has been formed by pulsed injection of argon through a nozzle in a form of linearly oriented small orifices. The argon jets were separated with the helium jets formed by injection of helium through alternate orifices in the nozzle. The targets have been characterized by extreme ultraviolet backlighting at 13.5 nm wavelength. Density profiles for this type of targets have been obtained, to our knowledge, for the first time.

Enhancement of Kα yield from a metal foil covered with metal rods of submicron sizes, with low aspect ratio, irradiated by a p-polarized femtosecond laser pulses of about 1017 W/cm2 intensity is demonstrated. Obtained relative increase in Kα X-ray line emission is explained with a model of vacuum heating of fast electrons.

The interaction of Ti:sapphire laser, operating at high repetition rate of 75 MHz, with nickel-based super-alloy Inconel 600 was studied. The laser was emitting at 800 nm and ultrashort pulse duration was 160 fs. Nickel-based super-alloy surface modification was studied in a low laser energy/fluence regime of maximum 20 nJ–15 mJ/cm2, for short (10 s) and long irradiation times (range of minutes). Surface damage threshold of this material was estimated to be 1.46 nJ, i.e., 0.001 J/cm2 in air. The radiation absorbed from Ti:sapphire laser beam under these conditions generates at the surface a series of effects, such as direct material vaporization, plasma creation, formation of nano-structures and their larger aggregates, damage accumulation, etc. Laser induced surface morphological changes observed on Inconel 600 were: (1) intensive removal of surface material with crater like features; (2) material deposition at near and farther periphery and creation of nano-aggregates/nano-structures; (3) sporadic micro-cracking of the inner and outer damage area. Generally, features created on nickel-based super-alloy surface by high repetition rate femtosecond pulses are characterized by low inner/outer damage diameter of less than 11 µm/30 µm and relatively large depth on the order of 150 µm, in both low (10 s) and high (minutes) irradiation time regimes.

In this paper, we describe the experimental validation of the technique of correction of wavefront aberration in the middle of the laser amplifying chain. This technique allows the correction of the aberrations from the first part of the laser system, and the pre-compensation of the aberrations built in the second part. This approach will allow an effective aberration management in the laser chain, to protect the optical surfaces and optimize performances, and is the only possible approach for multi-petawatt laser system from the technical and economical point of view. This approach is now possible after the introduction of new deformable mirrors with lower static aberrations and higher dynamic than the standard devices.

Stochastic instabilities are studied considering the motion of one particle in a very high intensity wave propagating along a constant homogeneous magnetic field, and in a high intensity wave propagating in a nonmagnetized medium perturbed by one or two low intensity traveling waves. Resonances are identified and conditions for resonance overlap are studied. The part of chaos in the electron acceleration is analyzed. PIC code simulation results confirm the stochastic heating.

This work describes the application of laser ion source (LIS) for fabrication of semiconductor nanostructures, as well as relevant equipment completed and tested in the IPPLM for the EU STREP “SEMINANO” project and the obtained experimental results. A repetitive pulse laser system of parameters: energy of ∼0.8 J in a 3.5 ns-pulse, wavelength of 1.06 μm, repetition rate of up to 10 Hz and intensity on the target of up to 1011 W/cm2, has been employed to produce Ge ions intended for ion implantation into SiO2 substrate. Simultaneously, laser-ablated material (atoms clusters debris) was deposited on the substrate surface. The parameters of the Ge ion streams (energy and angular distributions, charge states, and ion current densities) were measured with the use of several ion collectors and an electrostatic ion energy analyzer. The SiO2 films of thickness from 20–400 nm prepared on substrates of a single Si crystal were deposited and implanted with the use of laser-produced germanium of different properties. The modified SiO2 layers and sample surface properties were characterized with the use of different methods: X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy (XPS+AES), Raman scattering spectroscopy (RSS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The production of the Ge nano-crystallites has been demonstrated for annealed samples prepared in different experimental conditions.

Stochastic instabilities are studied considering the motion of one particle in a very high intensity wave perturbed by one or two low intensity traveling waves. Resonances are identified and conditions for resonance overlap are studied. PIC code simulation results confirm the stochastic heating.This paper was presented at the 28th ECLIM conference in Rome, Italy.