Emission of prompt electrons during excimer laser ablation of aluminum targets

We report on prompt emission of fast electrons occurring during xenon-fluoride (351 nm) laser ablation of aluminum targets in the nanosecond regime. We have measured both the kinetic energy distribution and the energy-integrated time-of-flight distribution of these electrons. Experimental data evidence that the energetic electrons are produced during the laser pulse as a consequence of two-photon processes, and that space-charge effects influence the photoemitted electron kinetic energy, leading to prompt electrons kinetic energy distributions extending up to approximate to 15 eV.