Time-dependent study of K-shell satellite line structure from L-shell ions in ultra-short laser argon cluster experiments

The interaction of high-power, ultra-short, femtosecond laser pulses with matter, particularly solids and atomic gas clusters has been an area of extensive research in recent years. In particular, gas cluster targets, with their high densities and resistance to heat conduction, combine the advantages of both gas and solid targets. High temperature and high-density plasmas with satellite lines from multiply charged ions have been observed: 2p-1s emissions in Li-like through F-like ions appear in the experimental spectrum. The experimental satellite spectra show sensitivity to pulse duration, laser contrast, and cluster size. Since the laser energy is deposited in such a short timescale, a time-dependent model is being developed to study the plasma formation in such systems. In the present work, preliminary time-integrated spectra simulated from this model are presented assuming different initial conditions for the pre-plasma. The computational model also includes a provision for non-thermal electrons at energies substantially above the mean plasma temperature. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.