Laser-pulse-vaporization of refractory materials

Abstract- Recent experimental and theoretical developments concerning the interaction of laser light w i t h a c t o r y solids are reviewed, with emphasis on long, low-power density pulses. Compared to short, high-power density irradiation, long pulses produce principally thermally-driven evaporation which can be related to the thermochemical properties of the heated surface. Surface temperature measurement and calculation methods are outlined and the use of mass spectrometry to analyze the vapor is reviewed