Solution of the Boltzmann equation for electrons in laser-heated metals

A kinetic study of the electron relaxation dynamic inside a noble metal film (Ag) subjected to a femtosecond laser pulse has been performed. A time dependent numerical algorithm for the solution of the Boltzmann equations for electrons and phonons inside the film has been developped, considering electron-electron and electron-phonon collisions and the laser perturbation. The dependence of electron-electron and electron-phonon characteristic time-scales on the screening parameter values has been investigated. Electron-electron relaxation times are also compared with experimental data obtained through time-resolved two-photon photoemission technique.