Interaction of Strong Laser Radiation with Solids and Nonlinear Optical Diagnostics of Surfaces

Present monograph is devoted to the nonlinear optical processes and nonlinear optical diagnostics of pulsed laser-matter interactions in subsuface layers. This is very hot field now and many scientists from all over the world are involved in this research area. We hope this monograph will contribute into the common efforts to cover this field and to create new opportunities both in fundamental research and practical applications. The list of the most probable areas of practical technological applications of processes, covered by this book, includes laser material processing, laser probing of microelectronic devices, laser control of technological processes at surfaces, etc. We hope that book will be of interest not only for the laser speCialists, but also for engineers and students, working in the field of practical applications of laser-matter interactions. The last years of research activity have brought many new fruitful ideas and valuable results in the field of pulsed laser radiation interaction with the surfaces of solids and liquids. The main experimental achivements, which have created the conditions for the rapid progress in this research area are the development of a new generation of pulsed lasers, emitting femtosecond optical pulses and the development of new probing techniques based on the nonlinear interaction of probing pulses with surface under investigation. This technique is possessed of a good temporal and spatial resolution as well as a high enough sensitivity.