Dynamics of splashing of molten metals during irradiation with single CO2 laser pulses

An experimental investigation was made of the dynamics of the loss of the melt as a result of interaction with single-mode CO₂ laser radiation pulses of 5–35 μs duration. The dynamics of splashing of the melt during irradiation with short pulses characterized by a Gaussian intensity distribution differed from that predicted by models in which the distribution of the vapor pressure was assumed to be radially homogeneous.