Start of condensation in erosional jets of metals subjected to highly intense submicrosecond laser action

Using the technique of laser probing, the time dependences of the transparency factor, integral glow, and of the scattered component of probing radiation for erosional laser jets of metals exposed to intense submi-crosecond laser pulses have been determined. Based on the results of laser probing, a conclusion on the con-densation nature of the process of formation of a liquid-droplet phase of the target-material under the given conditions of laser action has been drawn. Keywords: laser erosion of metals, submicrosecond pulses of optical radiation, condensed phase of the target material