The interaction of ultrashort subpicosecond laser pulses with initially cold and solid matter is investigated in a wide intensity range ${(10\mathrm{}}^{11}$ to ${10}^{17}\hspace{0.5em}\mathrm{W}/{\mathrm{cm}}^2)$ by means of the hydrodynamic code MULTI-FS, which is an extension of the long pulse version of MULTI [R. Ramis, R. Schmalz, and J. Meyer-ter-Vehn, Comput. Phys. Commun. 49, 475 (1988)]. Essential modifications for the treatment of ultrashort pulses are the solution of Maxwell’s equations in a steep gradient plasma, consideration of the nonequilibrium between electrons and ions, and a model for the electrical and thermal conductivity covering the wide range from the solid state to the high temperature plasma. The simulations are compared with several absorption measurements performed with aluminum targets at normal and oblique incidence. Good agreement is obtained by an appropriate choice of the electron-ion energy exchange time (characterized by 10 to 20 ps in cold solid Al). In addition we discuss the intensity scaling of the temperature, of the pressure, and of the density, where the laser energy is deposited in the expanding plasma, as well as the propagation of the heat wave and the shock wave into the solid. For laser pulse durations $>~150\hspace{0.5em}\mathrm{fs}$ considered in this paper the amount of isochorically heated matter at solid density is determined by the depth of the electron heat wave in the whole intensity range.

• Received 23 December 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.62.1202