The absorption of 250-fs KrF laser pulses incident on solid targets of aluminum and gold has been measured as a function of polarization and angle of incidence for the intensity range of 10' -2.5x10" Wcm . Maximum absorption of over 60% occurs for p-polarized radiation at angles of incidence in the range of 48'-57'. The measured results are in agreement with absorption on a steep density gradient.

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We have found a simple analytical expression which describes the relation between amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and small-signal gain in short-pulse amplifiers. It is also shown that the contrast of the short pulse to the ASE is weakly dependent on the saturation of the ASE, and influenced mainly by the saturation of the short pulse. The theoretical considerations were verified by measurements.

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A single dispersive element is shown to be sufficient for simultaneous pulse compression and tilting of the pulse front, and therefore well-suited for traveling-wave excitation of targets. It is shown that in all the previous arrangements used for traveling wave excitation, spatially dependent group velocity dispersion occurs along the target. A compensated arrangement is proposed that provides pulse compression at the target-plane and exact synchronism between the pump and the generated pulses for various targets.