Ablation by laser irradiation at wavelengths &lgr;=1.05, 0.53, and 0.35 &mgr;m has been studied from analysis of time‐resolved x‐ray spectra of layered targets and of ion emission. Irradiance was varied in the range 2×1013to 2×1015W cm−2with constant laser power and variable focal spot size. Deductions include the effect of lateral energy transport from small focal spots and ablation rates and ablation pressures obtained both in the limit of negligible transport and when lateral transport is significant. Advantages of short wavelengths for ablatively driven implosions are quantified.