Ablation Holes in Tape Targets Induced by Ultra-Intense Laser Pulses

We present a theoretical modelling able to predict the dimensions of mm-sized through-holes produced in interactions of the 1 PW high-power 30fs Ti:Sa laser VEGA-3 with tape targets. We find that sizes of through-holes can be calculated by assuming that the full heat transferred from the laser-heated electron population to the target by electron-electron collisions drives the evaporation of target material. We demonstrate the good reproduction of experimental results.