Model of explosive pulsed vaporization of dielectric liquids by intense laser irradiation of their surfaces

The mechanism of explosive vaporization interaction of laser radiation with matter is studied theoretically. It is shown that, in dielectric liquids with a free surface, periodic explosive boiling is possible if the laser radiation intensity exceeds the rate of heat transfer from the region of laser radiation absorption. Analytical expressions are obtained to estimate the pulsating boiling period and the thickness of the surface liquid layer dispersed by fluctuation vapor bubbles during each boiling. The degree of absorption of laser radiation by the aerosol formed above the liquid surface is estimated. __________ Translated from Prikladnaya Mekhanika i Tekhnicheskaya Fizika, Vol. 49, No. 6, pp. 17–24, November–December, 2008.