Reflection and scattering from laser-irradiated solid targets at a wavelength of 0.44 μm

Studies of the reflectivity and spectral behaviour of the light scattered from plane solid targets irradiated with the third harmonic of the iodine laser (λ = 0.44 μm) in the intensity range 10¹² to 10¹⁵ W/cm² are reported. The complex spectra of the scattered light observed with normally and obliquely incident laser light provide evidence of stimulated scattering processes. The results are compared with current theories on stimulated Brillouin scattering.