Simulation of the interaction of single-pulsed optical lasers with targets in a vacuum

We present computer simulations of the interaction of a perturbed laser beam on an aluminum target at pulse widths from .05 to 2.0 ..mu..sec, and intensities from 5 x 10/sup 7/ to 10/sup 13/ W/cm/sup 2/, at laser wavelengths varying from 0.25 ..mu..m (KrF laser) to 10.6 ..mu..m (CO/sub 2/ laser). We focus on impulse coupling, identify the critical processes for momentum generation, and discuss the uncertainties in modeling