Ultrashort laser irradiation of metal targets results in a variety of coupled processes, such as energy deposition
on surface, electron-ion heating and diffusion, as well as thermal ablation and plasma expansion, mechanical
rupture below the surface, and melt flow, modifying the initial surface morphology on micro/nanometric scales.
Multidimensional simulations capable to predict the consequences of inhomogeneous absorption on hydrodynamic
processes are performed in order to elucidate the mechanisms of surface micro/nanostructure formation and
material removal during multipulse laser ablation in regimes below, near and above laser ablation threshold. On
one hand, the numerical results suggest new ways of control over the properties of periodic and aperiodic surface
structures. On the other hand, the strategies to reduce the surface roughness and to improve the quality and the effciency of ultrashort laser ablation are discussed.
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