Solid-to-super Critical Phase Change during Laser Internal Ablation

The mechanisms of phase change of argon during picosecond laser internal ablation are studied using molecular dynamics simulations. It is found that propagation of stress wave and fluctuation of temperature are periodical. The phase change process from solid to liquid to supercritical fluid then back to solid occurs as combined results of heating and the propagation of tensile stress wave induced by the laser pulse and the limited internal space.