On the possibility of controlling laser ablation by tightly focused femtosecond radiation

We report the results of studies on the possibilities of controlling laser ablation by changing the polarisation state and the intensity distribution in the focal plane of the beams of high-power femtosecond radiation by means of beam diaphragming and controllable phase modulation using binary-phase plates. The latter provides the adjustment of correlation between the electric field components in the focus area. Based on the results of numerical modelling of the distribution of the electric field components in the focus area, an explanation of the mechanism of formation of the unusually shaped craters is given.