Role of a plasma jet in the energy balance of the interaction between laser radiation and matter

A study was made of the interaction between laser radiation and opaque targets. The energy radiated by a plasma jet resulting from this interaction was determined in a wide range of wavelengths (0.2–4 μ). The density of the incident laser power was ~10⁶ or ~10⁷ W/cm² for the same size of spot on the target. The targets were Duralumin, ebonite, and graphite. The energy radiated by a plasma jet represented, depending on the target material and the nature of the interaction, from 20 to 50% of the incident laser energy. The experimental results were used to estimate the role of other factors in the energy balance of the interaction between laser radiation and matter.