Hard X-ray production from femtosecond plasma induced in cluster-like solids

Recent advances in hard X-ray production from porous silicon targets have been reported. Experimental data on efficient hot electron generation in plasma, created by 200 fs laser pulses at intensity in excess of 10(16) W/cm(2) are discussed. The assessment of the hot electron temperature in single laser shot was made using simple modification of the well known X-ray filter method. X-ray quanta with energy of similar to 80 keV were observed at the "moderate" intensity of 2.10(16) W/cm(2), revealing the existence of the second non-thermal electron component with the "temperature" of 30-50 keV. Finally, we discuss the feasibility to design 2.5 MeV neutron source with peak flux of more than 10(20) neutrons/(s.cm(2)) using deuterium enriched nanowire metallic arrays.