Numerical Study of K{\alpha} X-ray Emission from Multi-layered Cold and Compressed Targets Irradiated by Ultrashort Laser Pulses

Abstract

In this paper the generation of K{\alpha} X-ray produced by interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with metal targets has been studied numerically. Several targets were assumed to be irradiated by high intensity ultra-short laser pulses for the calculations. Using Maxwell Boltzmann distribution function for hot electron and applying an analytical model, the number of K{\alpha} photons were calculated as a function of hot electron temperature, target thickness and K-shell ionization cross section. Also, simulation results of K{\alpha} yield versus target thickness variations from two and three layer metals have been presented. These calculations are useful for optimization of X-ray yield produced by irradiation of metal targets with high intensity laser pulses. We also generalized this model and present simulation results on K{\alpha} fluorescence measurement produced by fast electron propagation in shock compressed materials.