Ultrashort laser-solid interaction: ionisation, absorption, and ablation

Summary form only given. A comprehensive, self-consistent analytical model for ultrashort-pulse laser-ablation of solids has been developed. This new model is based on the ablation mechanism of ion extraction by a charge separation field, which is specific for ultrashort laser-matter interaction. This mechanism is crucial for understanding ultrashort pulse interaction with matter, and it has never been considered as an ablation mechanism before. The model incorporates all the major processes such as absorption, ionisation, and ablation. In contrast to previous theoretical considerations, there is no melting or evaporation in a conventional equilibrium sense in short pulse interaction.