We report investigations of photoemission from a bulk Ni target using an similar to10 ns pulse duration, 157 rim F-2 laser source. Photoelectric response may provide information relevant for understanding the basic laser-solid interaction mechanisms and also has potential practical applications, One example of this is the development of a simple, solar-blind F-2 laser detector based on photoemission, which allows fast time response measurement of the laser pulse shape. It has also been demonstrated that with a suitably designed diode, current pulses of several amperes can be generated from Ni using the F, laser at very low cathode fluence (<1 mJ cm(-2) on the cathode) where surface heating is negligible. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.