Influence of the laser pulse temporal structure on the dynamics of a laser jet

Experimental data from laser probing of zinc and lead erosion jets and calculations employing Mie scattering theory were used in determination of the temporal distribution of droplets in the jets. A comparison was made of the results obtained for the interaction with metal of neodymium laser pulses of different shapes. Certain laws governing the formation of liquid-phase particles were established: they were governed by the shape, duration, and pulse-repetition frequency of the laser pulses.