We present the results of an experimental investigation of the temporal evolution of plasmas produced by high power laser irradiation of various types of target materials (at intensities $I_L⩽{10}^{14}\mathrm{W}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^2$). We obtained interferometric data on the evolution of the plasma profile, which can directly be compared to analytical models and numerical simulations. For aluminum and plastic targets, the agreement with 1D simulations done with the hydrocode MULTI is excellent, at least for large times $(t⩾400\mathrm{ps})$. In this case, simulations also show that the effect of radiation transport is negligible. The situation is quite different for gold targets for which, in order to get a fair agreement, radiation transport must be taken into account.

• Received 30 March 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.78.046404