Using k-alpha emission to determine fast electron spectra using the Hybrid code ZEPHYROS

A high intensity laser-solid interaction invariably drives a non-thermal fast electron current through the target, however characterizing these fast electron distributions can prove difficult. An understanding of how these electrons propagate through dense materials is of fundamental interest and has applications relevant to fast ignition schemes and ion acceleration. Here, we utilize an upgraded version of the Hybrid code ZEPHYROS to demonstrate how the resulting k-alpha emission from such an interaction can be used as a diagnostic to obtain the characteristic temperature, divergence and total energy of the fast electron population.