Particle and x-ray generation by irradiation of gaseous and solid targets with a 100 TW laser pulse

The recently commissioned 100 TW, TiSa laser system (2.5 J, 25 fs) at the University of Düsseldorf has been used to study various issues at relativistic intensities including interaction physics, electron and proton acceleration and higher surface harmonics. The plasma evolution during and after laser pulse propagation through underdense gaseous targets was investigated with an optical probe pulse. Under similar experimental conditions the electron beam was recorded with Lanex screens and an electron spectrometer. On solid thin foil targets the production of protons was studied using a magnetic spectrometer. Due to the high contrast of the laser pulse, foil targets as thin as 300 nm could be used. Higher harmonics from laser irradiated fused silica targets were observed.