Femtosecond Laser-Matter Interaction: Theory, Experiments and Applications

This is the first comprehensive treatment of the interaction of femtosecond laser pulses with solids at nonrelativistic intensity. It connects phenomena from the subtle atomic motion on the nanoscale to the generation of extreme pressure and temperature in the interaction zone confined inside a solid. The femtosecond laser-matter interaction has al

Table of Contents:
Basics of Ultra-Short Laser-Solid Interactions. Subtle Atomic Motion Preceding a Phase Transition: Birth, Life and Death of Phonons. Ultra-Fast Disordering by fs-Lasers: Superheating Prior to Entropy Catastrophe. Ablation of Solids. Ultra-Short Laser-Matter Interaction Confined Inside a Bulk of Transparent Solid. Applications of Ultra-Short Laser-Matter Interactions. Conclusion Remarks.

About the Author :
Eugene G. Gamaly received his master's degree in theoretical physics from the Moscow State University (1958), PhD from the Federal Nuclear Centre, Russia (1970), and Dr. Sc. degree and Professor of Physics title from the P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow (1980). During 1958-1973, he worked in the fields of high-temperature/density plasma physics, combined with nuclear fission/fusion in its most general and specific aspects. He joined P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute on invitation of Prof. N. G. Basov, Nobel Laureate. His work during 1973-1992 featured the pioneering researches on laser-induced fusion and on the fundamentals of short and intense laser-matter interaction. He joined the Australian National University in 1992. His recent interests relate to the nonequilibrium processes on atomic space and time scales and material transformations induced by ultra-short lasers. Gamaly has authored and co-authored more than 300 papers.

Review :
This book gives an overview of the fundamentals and applications of laser-matter interactions with ultra-short laser pulses (with a pulse duration of 100 fs or less). Many problems of these interactions were investigated just recently. It is very useful to have a monograph which gives a systematic description of the various aspects of such interactions. Prof. Gamaly's book will be very useful to a broad range of readers, from graduate students to professional physicists. -Prof. Boris Luk'yanchuk, Data Storage Institute, Singapore This monograph provides an excellent insight into the numerous and complex processes that arise when sub-picosecond laser pulses interact with matter undergoing a fast transient ecolution between the solid state, warm dense matter, and plasma. It's an indispensable oeuvre that fills a gap in the literature of fundamental and applied physics of laser-matter interaction. -Dr. Stefan Huller, Ecole Polytechnique, France An excellent and comprehensive overview of the mechanisms involved and recent developments in the field, this book covers the necessary background knowledge, which makes it appropriate for postgraduate students and researchers. -Prof. Costas Fotakis, Director, IESL-FORTH, Greece "The book Femtosecond Laser-Matter Interactions by Eugene Gamaly provides a high-quality and detailed theoretical description of underlying physical processes on the level accessible to specialists and to students. The theoretical description is complemented with demonstrations of experimental results, and it introduces a large list of very promising applications covering a vast range, from the fundamental science to industry, medicine and arts. It is a rather complete and up-to-date introduction in an exciting new, fast-growing domain at the interface between laser science, solid state physics and plasmas." -Prof. Vladimir Tikhonchuk, Universite Bordeaux 1, France