High-intensity laser-induced vaporization and explosion of solid material

Material removal from the front surface of a solid by a high-intensity laser beam is analytically treated. The model used allows for transmission of laser energy past the front surface and for transient phenomena. It is found that for certain laser and material parameters subsurface temperatures will exceed the surface temperature. Under such conditions, explosive removal of material could occur resulting in very rapid and efficient material removal. These predictions are compared to previously published experimental results.