Explosion plume on the exit surface of fused silica during UV laser- induced damage

Abstract

Explosion plume on the exit surface of fused silica during UV laser-induced damage was investigated using a two-color interferometric time-resolved side-viewed imaging system. Phase shifts and refractive index variation on specific positions, induced by the plume at different delays, were obtained by processing the interferogram. Assisted with the observation of the collected ejection, the material species, distributions and thermodynamic behaviors of ejections were presented. Based on findings, the temporal evolvement of plume was described. The key transition nodes of the response behaviors during laser induced damage were captured. Furthermore, the dissipation of plasma and the cessation of material evaporation were presented. These results provided valuable insight into the non-equilibrium physics involved during the interaction process of laser and surface material.