Generation of thin, near critical density gas targets for laser plasma interaction experiments*

We present the design and characterization of a thin (~200µm FWHM), high density pulsed gas jet which we use to study near critical and overcritical laser plasma interactions. We show that cryogenic cooling of the pulsed jet provides the necessary density enhancement for reaching overcritical plasma densities at 800 nm (>1.7*?10?^21 ?cm?^(-3)) with pure hydrogen gas at plenum pressures below 1000 psi. Further, we present 2D and 3D PIC simulations showing the interaction of femtosecond pulses with our experimentally measured near critical gas density profile. The simulations show electron and ion acceleration at drive pulse energies as low as a few tens of millijoules.