Heating the metals at a free surface by laser irradiation—an electron kinetic theory approach

Application the Fourier theory to heat conduction due to laser irradiation at high power intensities (i.e. 10¹⁰W/m²) gives errors the the order the 30 per cent at the upper end the the temperature rise time. This is caused by the assumptions made in the Fourier theory, since the heat flux through a given plane depends on the electron energy distribution through the material. On the scale the distance required to examine the problem, the material can no longer be considered as being a homogeneous continuum and when the power intensities the interest are concerned, the higher order terms in the heat transfer equation become important. Therefore, the problem requires to be examined in the quantum field. Application the electron kinetic theory to the problem enhances the solution within an accuracy greater than 90 per cent. The present theory introduces a new model for the conduction mechanism.