Nonlinear elastic effects of the interaction of a laser pulse with a solid

A study was made of the influence of nonlinear elastic effects on the generation of acoustic waves as a result of interaction of laser radiation with a solid. An explanation is given of the slower (compared with the predictions of the linear theory) damping of elastic waves. It is shown that the dimensions of an elastically deformed zone can be determined by an acoustic method and this can be done for any duration and time profile of a laser pulse causing such deformation.