SiC, Si and diamond detectors for comparison of laser-generated plasma in TNSA regime

Monocrystalline SiC, Si and Diamond detectors have been used to monitor the radiations emitted from TNSA laser-generated plasma using a high-intensity fs laser. The comparison of their spectra was performed monitoring in time-of-flight the forward emitted TNSA plasma radiation. Carbon, aluminum, copper and gold targets were irradiated with an intensity of the order of 1019 W/cm2. SiC detector, with 80 microns depth active region, gave the best response to detect fast UV and X-rays, relativistic and cold electrons, and energetic protons and light accelerated ions. The experiments demonstrate the advantages to use semiconductor detectors to characterize the plasma enhancing the importance of the thickness of the target with respect to its electronic density.