Fast Electron Spatial Temperature Distribution Studied by X-Ray 2D Imaging

We present the experimental and numerical results of two-dimensional x-ray imaging due to fast electron transport in a solid target. A 40-μm-thick copper film target is irradiated by a 100 mJ, 50 fs normal incident laser pulse. The full width at half maximum of the x-ray photon dose is 25 μm, and the divergence angle of fast electrons is 25°–30°, which is detected by the pin-hole x-ray imaging technique. The target surface plasma layer is compressed by a ponderomotive force into a depth of 0.2λ. The plasma wave accompanied by fast electrons transporting into the target is studied by dividing the plasma into layers in a radial direction. A narrow fast electron channel, which is approximately 8 μm–10 μm in width, mainly contributes to the x-ray dose.