The experimental estimation of temporal and power parameters of the near-surface laser plasma forming

The direct measurement of the time parameters of the process of formation of a near-surface laser plasma as a function of the intensity of the laser pulse has been carried out. The quantitative assessment of the durations of various temporal stages characterizing the process of formation of laser plasma in the nanosecond range has been carried out. The threshold intensity of the beginning of the formation of a near-surface laser plasma on a steel target (~70 MW/cm²) and the threshold for the formation of an optically dense plasma (~200 MW/cm²) are quantified. The effect of the selflimitation of the action of a laser pulse during the laser-plasma surface treatment is confirmed. The results can be applied in various laser-plasma technologies: from industrial up to medical.