Picosecond Photon-Solid Interaction
ABSTRACTSome of the fundamental aspects of pulsed laser interactions with semiconductors are reviewed within the frame of recent experimental work with picosecond laser pulses. Main emphasis is placed on data obtained in space-time resolved measurements of transmission and reflectivity of picosecond pulse irradiated silicon at different probing wavelengths. Four distinct interaction regimes can be defined, depending on the fluence of the laser pulse. Special attention is devoted to the phase transition from solid to liquid state at the surface. The optical heating model is found to be valid even on a time scale of picoseconds. Firm data of the electron-hole plasma density and lattice temperature are derived. The thermal nature of the phase transition is confirmed.