Influence of laser radiation on metals at high ambient pressures

Some features of the interaction between laser radiation and metal targets were investigated at high pressures (1–140 atm) in a nitrogen atmosphere. The nature of the interaction varied with the gas pressure. This was due to the breakdown in nitrogen and the resultant screening of the interaction zone from the direct incidence of the radiation, which resulted in a sharp drop of the ejection of the target material. A possible mechanism of the development of the screening effect was considered.