Analysis of the absorption mechanism during laser-metal interaction

The present study examines the absorption of a laser beam at different wavelengths by a partially-ionized vapour during the interaction mechanism. The applicability of the theoretical models developed is discussed in detail. The interaction of the high- and low-power intensities of a laser beam with plasma is distinguished. It is shown that different metal vapours at similar temperatures and densities have absorption depths which may differ by an order of magnitude. Even more substantial is the difference between the absorption depths of light from different lasers in common use. It is also shown that the free electron temperature becomes significantly different from the heavy particle temperature for power intensities above the critical level which is typically > 10¹⁴W/m². The free electron velocity distribution has an isotropic part which becomes non-Maxwellian for power intensities greater than the critical power intensity.