Polarimetric detection of laser induced ultrashort magnetic pulses in overdense plasma

The interaction of intense (similar to 10(16) W cm(-2)), subpicosecond pulses with solid targets can generate highly directional jets of hot electrons. These electrons can propagate in the solid along with the counterpropagating return shielding currents. The spontaneous magnetic field that is generated by these currents, captures in its time evolution, important information about the dynamics of the complex transport processes. By using a two pulse pump-probe polarimetric technique the temporal evolution of multimegagauss magnetic fields is measured for optically polished BK7 glass targets, each coated with a thin layer of either copper or silver. A simple model is then used for explaining the observations and for deducing quantitative information about the transport of hot electrons. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3118586]