Thermophysical and hydrodynamic effects in laser-beam processing of materials (review)

A review is given of the thermophysical processes which accompany the interaction of laser radiation with materials. Some features of the motion of molten matter resulting from laser beam processing are analyzed. The influence of the ambient medium on the interaction between laser radiation and metals is considered. Processes responsible for changes in the structure of some steels as a result of interaction with a laser beam are discussed.