Shockwave and crack monitoring following nonlinear absorption with picosecond time-resolved microscopic imaging

Many damage morphologies are possible following irradiation of materials with an intense laser beam. We present ultrafast time-resolved microscopic imaging of materials immediately following laser-matter interaction. In the case of transparent, brittle materials such imaging allows monitoring of multiple resultant processes such as shockwaves, induced stress, crack, and others. We present an optical system for such imaging and examples of several studies completed. Imaging shockwaves produced from impulsive absorption of intense light provides insight into shockwave speed and intensity. Imaging of crack evolution over time allows for understanding of the driving forces behind crack initiation and growth. Time-resolved imaging of visible emissions provides a timescale of radiative relaxation mechanisms and images the extension of cracks during and following bursts of multiple ultrafast pulses helps to understand the enhancement of crack growth under pulse bursts.