Laser shock waves as a tool of changing the strains in materials

The possibility of defect structure and, consequently, strains control using nanosecond laser irradiation-induced shock waves (LSW) both in bulk materials and at the interfaces is investigated. The conditions of the experiment are selected to ensure that the main result of the LSW action would be a change of defect structure at a significantly larger depth in comparison with a thermal influence region. The influence of weak LSW on Fe-Mo and Si–SiO2 interfaces is considered. The potentiality of this technique with respect to the structural quality and residual strains of (Hg, Cd)Te solid solutions due to the LSW interaction with extended defects (low-grain-boundaries, precipitates, etc.) is demonstrated.