Metal foil targets were irradiated with 1 μ m wavelength (λ) laser pulses of 5 ps duration and
focused intensities (I) of up to 4× 10 19 W cm-2, giving values of both I λ 2 and pulse
duration comparable to those required for fast ignition inertial fusion. The divergence of the
electrons accelerated into the target was determined from spatially resolved measurements
of x-ray K α emission and from transverse probing of the plasma formed on the back of the
foils. Comparison of the divergence with other published data shows that it increases with I λ …

Metal foil targets were irradiated with 1 μm wavelength (λ) laser pulses of 5 ps duration and
focused intensities up to 4x10^ 19Wcm-2, giving values of both Iλ^ 2 and pulse duration
comparable to those required for fast ignition inertial fusion. The divergence of the electrons
accelerated into the target was measured using spatially resolved X-ray K α emission and
from transverse probing of the plasma formed on the back of the foils. Comparison of the
divergence with other published data will be presented along with 2D PIC simulations …