Step-by-Step Optical Breakdown
- Typical power density >1010 W/cm2
- Typical plasma temp 105-106 k
- Plasma shock wave velocity- tens of km/sec
- Shock wave pressures - Mega bars
| Step 1 - Shoot Laser Pulse at Sample | |
 |
 |
| Thermal expansion: residual energy dissipated thermally | Permanent structural change - a pixel was formed |
| Step 2 - Translate Sample & Snapshot in Time | |
 |
 |
| Step 3 - Snapshot in Time - 100 fs | Step 4 - Snapshot in Time - 10 ps |
 |
 |
| Photon energy transferred to electrons | Photon energy transferred to ions |
| Step 5 - Snapshot in Time - 100 ps | Step 6 - Snapshot in Time - 10-100ns |
 |
 |
| Plasma expansion: most of the pulse energy reradiated as EM radiation | Shock wave propagation: some energy dissipated mechanically |
| Step 7 - Snapshot in Time - 1µs | Step 8 - Snapshot in Time - 1 ms |
 |
 |
| Thermal expansion: residual energy dissipated thermally | Permanent structural change - a pixel was formed |