Laser interaction with materials: introduction

Laser-material interaction is the fascinating nexus where laser physics, optical physics, and materials science intersect. Applications span the range from high-intensity shock physics at the nanoscale to futuristic ideas like space propulsion using remotely located lasers. These papers were selected from the program of the 2018 International High Power Laser Ablation Symposium in Santa Fe, New Mexico, held 26-29 March 2018, or contributed later by our attendees. This conference was held on the 20th anniversary of our first meeting in 1998. (c) 2018 Optical Society of America