Importance of a finite speed of heat propagation in metals irradiated by femtosecond laser pulses

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We study theoretically the propagation of heat in a metal, due to irradiation with an ultrashort laser pulse. The target is treated in an extended two-fluid model for electrons and phonons, which accounts for a finite speed of heat propagation in the electron gas. As a result, the absorbed laser energy is more localized in the electronic system yielding an enhanced peak electron temperature. © 1996 The American Physical Society.