Generation of quasi-cylindrical waves during inhomogeneous heating of a metal by a focused laser pulse

Abstract

The generation of low-frequency quasi-cylindrical and surface waves generated by a long pulse of laser radiation focused into a narrow strip on the metal surface is studied. Waves are generated by non-linear currents arising from inhomogeneous heating of electrons. It is shown that the total low-frequency field is mainly determined by the quasi-cylindrical wave field. The angular and frequency distributions of the generated radiation energy have been studied. The range of angles in which it is necessary to take into account the near-surface structure of quasi-cylindrical waves is established.