Characteristics of fast particles generated by a subnanosecond laser plasma

An investigation was made of the spectral and energy characteristics of suprathermal laser-plasma ions and electrons using the experimental data obtained by spherical irradiation of glass microspheres in the Progress six-channel laser facility. The power density of the λ = 1.06 μm radiation on the surface of the target was (1–2) × 10¹⁵ W/cm². The main role in the formation of the suprathermal particle spectrum was played by resonant absorption of laser radiation: up to 90% of the energy absorbed by the resonant mechanism was dissipated in the acceleration of suprathermal ions.