Femtosecond Laser-Matter Interaction. Theory, Experiments and Applications

Description

This book is the first comprehensive treatment of the interaction of femtosecond laser pulses with solids at nonrelativistic intensity. It connects phenomena from the subtle atomic motion on the nanoscale to the generation of extreme pressure and temperature in the interaction zone confined inside a solid. The femtosecond laser–matter interaction has already found numerous applications in industry, medicine, and materials science. However, there is no consensus on the interpretation of related phenomena. With mathematics kept to a minimum, this is a highly engaging and readable treatment for students and researchers in science and engineering. The book avoids complex mathematical formulae, and hence the content is accessible to nontechnical readers. Useful summaries after each chapter provide compressed information for quick estimates of major parameters in planned or performed experiments.

The book connects the basic physics of femtosecond laser–solid interactions to a broad range of applications. Throughout the text, basic assumptions are derived from the first principles, and new results and ideas are presented. From such analyses, a qualitative and predictive framework for the field emerges, the impact of which on applications is also discussed.

Readership Advanced undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students; newcomers to the field; practicing experimentalists with the knowledge of the basics of the general physics at the university level.

Reviews

"This monograph provides an excellent insight into the numerous and complex processes that arise when sub-picosecond laser pulses interact with matter undergoing a fast transient evolution between the solid state, warm dense matter, and plasma. Eugene Gamaly’s interdisciplinary approach to describe laser-induced transitions in irradiated media and changes of optical properties affecting laser-light penetration is stimulating. An indispensable oeuvre that fills a gap in the literature of fundamental and applied physics of laser–matter interaction."
Dr. Stefan Hüller - Ecole Polytechnique, France

"The book Femtosecond Laser–Matter Interactions by Eugene Gamaly provides a high-quality and detailed theoretical description of underlying physical processes on the level accessible to specialists and to students. The theoretical description is complemented with demonstrations of experimental results, and it introduces a large list of very promising applications covering a vast range, from the fundamental science to industry, medicine and arts. It is a rather complete and up-to-date introduction in an exciting new, fast-growing domain at the interface between laser science, solid state physics and plasmas."
Prof. Vladimir Tikhonchuk - Université Bordeaux 1, France

"Ablation by ultrafast lasers is central for the controlled removal modification or deposition of materials, permitting several novel technological applications. This book provides an excellent and comprehensive overview of the mechanisms involved and recent developments in the field. It covers the necessary background knowledge, which makes it appropriate for postgraduate students and researchers."
Prof. Costas Fotakis - Director, IESL-FORTH, Greece

"This book gives an overview of the fundamentals and applications of laser–matter interactions with ultra-short laser pulses (with a pulse duration of 100 fs or less). Many problems of these interactions were investigated just recently. It is very useful to have a monograph which gives a systematic description of the various aspects of such interactions. Prof. Gamaly’s book will be very useful to a broad range of readers, from graduate students to professional physicists."
Prof. Boris Luk’yanchuk - Data Storage Institute, Singapore