Nonlocal heat wave propagation due to skin layer plasma heating by short laser pulses

Abstract

A model, which accounts for the heat flux delocalization has been applied to study nonlocal heat wave propagation from laser-heated skin layer of an overdense plasma into a cold target. The skin layer absorption model includes collisional, frequency dependent and nonlocal effects. The practical formula for the nonlocal nonlinear heat flux has been tested in Fokker–Planck simulation of the hot spot relaxation. Good agreement has been demonstrated between kinetic simulations and the analytical model. The results show thermal transport inhibition and large extent of the heat wave front as compared to classical Spitzer–Härm theory predictions.