  An intense, short laser pulse incident on a transparent dielectric can excite
electrons from valence to the conduction band. As these electrons undergo
scattering, both from phonons and ions, they emit bremsstrahlung radiation.
Here we present a theory of bremsstrahlung emission appropriate for laser
pulse-dielectric interactions. Simulations of the interaction, incorporating
this theory, illustrate characteristics of the radiation (power, energy and
spectra) for arbitrary ratios of electron collision frequency to radiation
frequency. The conversion efficiency of laser pulse energy into bremsstrahlung
radiation depends strongly on both the intensity and duration of the pulse,
saturating at values of about 10e-5. Depending on whether the intensity is
above or below the damage threshold of the material, the emission can originate
either from the surface or the bulk of the dielectric respectively. The
bremsstrahlung emission may provide a broadband light source for diagnostics.
