Thermomechanical damage by pulsed lasers

Equipment is under development to generate powerful laser pulses capable of producing fracture in metals. Since laser energy - in a continuous mode of operation - can also be used to induce thermal damage, the laser provides an excellent model to assess thermal as against mechanical damage potential. A simple one-dimensional theory is presented which combines energy absorption, shock formation and dynamic fracture phenomena in order to predict failure of metals in relation to laser characteristics. Conditions are indicated under which the destructive power of a pulsed laser becomes maximal.