A high-energy-density laser beam-material interaction process has been simu
lated considering a self-evolving liquid-vapour interface profile. A mathem
atical scheme called the level-set technique has been adopted to capture th
e transient Liquid-vapour interface. Inherent to this technique are: the ab
ility to simulate merger and splitting of the liquid-vapour interface and t
he simultaneous updating of the surface normal and the curvature. Unsteady
heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena are modelled, considering the thermo
-capillary effect and the recoil pressure. A kinetic Knudsen layer has been
considered to simulate evaporation phenomena at the liquid-vapour interfac
e. Also, the homogeneous boiling phenomenon near the critical point is impl
emented. Energy distribution inside the vapour cavity is computed consideri
ng multiple reflection phenomena. The effect of laser power on the material
removal mode, liquid layer thickness, surface temperature and the evaporat
ion speed are presented and discussed.