Molecular dynamics simulation of thermal and thermomechanical phenomena in picosecond laser material interaction

In recent years, short pulsed laser materials interaction has attracted considerable attention owing to the rapid development of short pulsed lasers and their potential applications in laser-material processing. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are conducted to study the thermal and thermomechanical phenomena induced by picosecond laser heating. The generation and propagation of the stress wave are calculated and depicted in detail. Results of the MD simulation are compared with those obtained with an analytical solution. In addition, a temperature wave as a result of the coupling between temperature and the strain rate is observed, which propagates at the same speed as the stress wave.