Recent results on constructing of an efficient hard X-ray source using solid targets irradiated by high-contrast 200-fs laser pulses with an intensity above 1016W/cm2are presented. We used different solid targets with a laser- and electrochemically modified surface layer: craters, pyramidal cavities, porous silicon, gratings. Experimental data obtained confirms that using solid targets with a corrugated surface one can achieve a prominent increase both in the efficiency of hard X-ray generation (in the quanta range 2–30 keV) and in the hot electron temperature of plasma.
Characterisation and Manipulation of Proton Beams Accelerated by Ultra-Short and High-Contrast Laser Pulses