Finite Element Hydrodynamics Modeling of Laser-Induced Shock Waves in Aluminum

A two-dimensional problem of irradiating a bulk solid target with a single ultrashort laser pulse is considered. The problem in the elastic-plastic formulation is numerically modeled using the Lagrangian finite element method. Stages of shock wave propagation and attenuation in the target are identified. The shape and size of the area of residual plastic deformations are determined using the von Mises criterion. The numerical results are in good agreement with results of molecular dynamics modeling.