Coherent transition radiation (CTR) produced by the hot electrons generated when solid targets are irradiated by high-intensity lasers is examined. The theory is extended to include the effects of collisions on the generated hot electron beam. The collisional effects on electron transport, blooming and straggling, leads to transverse and longitudinal loss of coherence of the electron beam structure, resulting in a decrease in efficiency in the CTR. The directionality of the electrons leads to measurable non-radial components for the polarization of the CTR. With these effects accounted for, the properties of this radiation can give valuable information on the high-energy tail of the fast electrons produced at the target front side and transported through the solid-density material, such as temperature, direction and size of the filaments composing the beam.
Fast-electron transport in high-intensity short-pulse laser - solid experiments