Optimization of the Temporal Shape of Laser Pulses for Ablation

This paper is devoted to the stochastic optimization of the temporal shape of a laser pulse for material ablation. The temperature of the material subject to the laser pulse is modeled by a Stefan-like heat transfer equation. From the surface temperature is then determined the ablation depth of the studied material, which is the quantity to optimize for a given laser pulse fluence. Several numerical tests are presented for laser ablation of silicon, which is the material of interest here.