| Abstract | Formal solutions of the two-temperature coupled equations describing thermal diffusion during laser-induced ablation of metals are obtained under the assumptions that the electron and the lattice heat capacities, and the thermal conductivity remain constant in the process. In view of its practical value, the solutions are obtained for the source with the Gaussian energy distribution with respect to both, space and time. The solutions are valid for the ultra-short to nanosecond pulse-width regimes. It is shown that the electron and the lattice temperatures vanish in the limit of infinite time, which is the main result of analysis presented in this report. This property, while consistent with the physically expected eventual cooling of metal to the room temperature, has not been recognized in the literature. An exploitation of this result yields an improved numerical scheme and a deeper insight into the process, which is indicated. |
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