Heat conduction in a semi-infinite solid when subjected to spatially decaying instantaneous laser source

A closed-form model for the computation of temperature and heat flux distribution in a semi-infinite solid when subjected to spatially decaying, instantaneous laser source is investigated. The appropriate dimensionless parameters are identified and the reduced temperature and heat flux as a function of these parameters are presented in the graphic form. Some special cases of practical interest are also discussed. It is demonstrated that the present analysis covers the classical case of no heat generation in the solid as well as some new solutions.