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Nine years has passed since the 1992 second edition of the encyclopedia was published. This completely revised third edition, which is a university and professional level compendium of chemistry, molecular biology, mathematics, and engineering, is refreshed with numerous articles about current research in these fields. For example, the new edition has an increased emphasis on information processing and biotechnology, reflecting the rapid growth of these areas. The continuing Editor-in-Chief, Robert Meyers, and the Board prepared a new topical outline of physical science and technology to define complete coverage. Section editors are either Nobel Laureates or editors of key journals in their fields. Additional Board members representing the global scientific community were also recruited.
E-Book Content
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Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology
EN008C-361
June 29, 2001
13:58
Laser–Materials Interactions Michael Bass Aravinda Kar University of Central Florida
I. Deposition of Light Energy in Matter II. Laser Heating of Materials III. Responses of Materials
GLOSSARY Complex propagation constant Quantity γ (= α + jβ) used to describe the propagation of light in a general medium; α gives the attenuation and β the wave vector magnitude, both in reciprocal centimeters. Laser-driven plasma Optically thick plasma found near a surface heated to the point of vaporization by an intense laser beam; the beam ionizes some of the vapor and through the process of avalanche breakdown creates the plasma. Nonlinear absorption Process in which the attenuation coefficient itself is a function of the light intensity. Photoablation Process by which short-wave-length laser light breaks molecular bonds in matter and causes material to be ejected from the surface with very little heati