Laser-plasma processing of metals at high gas pressures

An analysis is made of the characteristic features of the laser-plasma processing of metals in gases (N₂, Ar, CO₂, He) at high pressures (1–130 atm). The results are given of an investigation of some characteristics of a plasma bunch formed by the action of 1.06 μ radiation near the surface of a target and of a numerical modeling of the breakdown of a gas (nitrogen) near the surface of a metal. It is reported that local regions on the surfaces of steel plates may be hardened by laser-plasma processing and that some compounds (nitrides, carbides) may be produced by surface synthesis. Prospects for laser-plasma processing of materials by CO₂ laser radiation are considered.