Drop evaporation in an optical-radiation field

Molecular-kinetic analysis of the evaporation of a drop suspended in an atmosphere of its own vapor under the action of unidirectional electromagnetic radiation is undertaken. The problem is solved in the quasi-steady approximation, on the basis of the linearized gas-kinetic equation for the whole range of Knudsen numbers, taking account of the thermophysical, optical, and accommodational properties of the drop.