Experimental investigation of transverse waves generated in metal by a laser pulse

Experimental investigations of transverse-wave pulses generated in a metal by a short laser pulse are presented. The effects of the laser radiation in tensity, dimensions of the laser spot, and the incidence angle on the ampli tude, shape, and width of the acoustic pulse have been studied. The results are discussed in terms of the model of a thermal acoustic emitter in the f orm of a thin metal disk heated by a laser pulse, where a pulse of radial a nd axial mechanical stress is driven by the thermoelastic and hydrodynamic mechanisms.