fotoevaporation

Fotoevaporation is a term that can refer to several distinct physical processes involving the removal of material through the application of light. The most common interpretation is a laser ablation process where a high-intensity laser beam is focused onto a material, causing it to rapidly heat up, vaporize, and turn into plasma. This rapid vaporization effectively removes a small amount of material from the surface. This technique is widely used in applications such as precision drilling, material processing, and medical procedures like laser eye surgery. The efficiency and precision of fotoevaporation depend on factors like laser wavelength, pulse duration, and the material's optical and thermal properties.

Another related concept, sometimes referred to as fotoevaporation, involves using light to induce the evaporation of a liquid. This can occur when light energy is absorbed by the liquid, increasing its kinetic energy and causing molecules to transition into a gaseous state. While not as commonly termed "fotoevaporation" as laser ablation, the principle of light-driven phase change is fundamental to many processes, including solar-powered water purification or drying processes where light is used to accelerate evaporation. The intensity and wavelength of the light play crucial roles in the rate of evaporation.