WAVE OF POINT-DEFECT FORMATION, ULTRAFAST CLUSTER NUCLEATION, AND OPTICAL-DAMAGE IN LASER-EXCITED DIELECTRICS

A model of the wave of point-defect formation and the wave of cluster formation, which propagate jointly in transparent dielectrics activate d by multiphoton interband electronic excitation, is introduced and de veloped. The characteristics of these waves, such as the critical lase r intensity of wave ignition, the shape, the velocity, the direction o f propagation, and the concentration of generated defects, are calcula ted. On the basis of the obtained results, a new criterion of multipul se laser damage is defined.