A comprehensive approach for characterisation of the deposited energy density during laser-matter interaction in liquids and solids

We present a novel approach to the characterization of ultrafast laser–matter interaction processes in solids and liquids under extreme conditions of microplasma generation. Through the combination of three-dimensional propagation imaging, absorption measurements, shadowgraphy and photoacoustic imaging we can restore plasma electron density distribution, laser pulse fluence profile and the value of deposited energy density inside the bulk of the material and characterize the regime of the laser pulse propagation. The developped concept is important for understanding the physics of ultrafast laser–matter interactions with strong implications for precision control of laser micromachining, bioprocessing and biotreatment.