Unified First-Principle Analysis Of Ultraintense Laser-Matter Interactions: Theory, Computation and Experiments

The focus of this Basic Research Initiative has been on the fundamental aspects of ultrafast laser-matter interactions that are involved in femtosecond laser micromachining. The main scientific results of the program are as follows1. We have introduced a new universal criterion of femtosecond laser ablation that is independent on the angle of incidence and polarization of the laser beam.2. We have conducted experiments on laser-driven microexplosions in sapphire and on the interface of silicon and fused silica. We have discovered several new super-dense phases of aluminum and silicon.3. We have quantified different ionization channels in femtosecond laser ablation and devised an improved rate equation for ionization for several technologically important transparent dielectrics sapphire, fused silica, soda-lime glass.