Abstract
A simple analytical model has been developed which describes the heating of a thin opaque target in air when subjected toirradiation from a high‐power pulse laser. Effects due to the formation of a laser supported absorption wave (LSAW) above the target surface are explicitly included in this model. The results shows that despite the increased coupling due to the presence of the LSAW, the resultant target heating from a tightly focused beam (small spot diameter) can be severely retarded by energy spreading as the LSAW expands over the target surface.