Planar head wave induced by pulsed laser ablation in liquid

Abstract

We studied the dynamics of nanosecond-pulsed laser ablation of graphite-coated and black-paint-coated targets in liquids using a custom-designed time-resolved photoelasticity imaging technique. We presented the first demonstration of a planar head wave that was almost parallel to the target surface. In the solid, we observed a planar stress wave that was a counterpart of the planar head wave. This planar stress wave distorted the typical stress distribution induced by pulsed laser ablation in liquid. The planar head wave and stress wave traveled at the acoustic speed in the corresponding medium. These wavefronts were stronger as the number of shots increased.