Abstract
The effect of lattice structure on the transport of energetic (MeV) electrons in solids irradiated by ultraintense laser pulses is investigated using various allotropes of carbon. We observe smooth electron transport in diamond, whereas beam filamentation is observed with less ordered forms of carbon. The highly ordered lattice structure of diamond is shown to result in a transient state of warm dense carbon with metalliclike conductivity, at temperatures of the order of 1–100 eV, leading to suppression of electron beam filamentation.
- Received 21 March 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.185004
© 2011 American Physical Society
Synopsis
SynopsisHot electrons, cold lattice
Published 6 May 2011
How a material’s structure affects the conduction of ultrahot electrons is being explored with one of the world’s most powerful lasers.
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