Physics of laser-induced plasma streams under irradiation of metals with nanosecond laser radiation pulses at atmospheric pressure

Abstract

We have investigated the physics of the processes of incipient formation, development, and breakdown of vapor-plasma streams formed under the action of high-power (108–109 W/cm2) nanosecond laser pulses on massive metal targets in air. The main theoretical models of the process of laser erosion of metals by nanosecond pulses have been considered. A comparison has been made between the results of experimental and theoretical investigations of the laser erosion processes