Crater-like structures induced by intense laser

Crater-like structures are experimentally studied with an ultrashort, ultraintense laser pulse with an intensity of 1.5 × 10¹⁸ W/cm², irradiating borosilicate glass targets, which extends laser-induced craters to the region of relativistic intensities. The morphology of the crater-like structures is measured accurately using a three-dimensional laser scanning confocal microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The experimental results indicate that a circular bowl shape is formed with a depth-to-diameter ratio of about 1/5, which is similar to that of meteorite impact craters. A plasma fireball model is applied to analyze the experimental results. Studies show that catastrophic asteroid strikes may be investigated by irradiating foils with intense laser pulses.