Abstract: Interaction of pulsed transversely excited atmospheric (TEA) CO₂-laser radiation at 10.6 μm with nanoporous activated carbon cloth was investigated. Activated carbon cloth of different adsorption characteristics was used. Activated carbon cloth modifications were initiated by laser pulse intensities from 0.5 to 28 MW/cm², depending on the cloth adsorption characteristics. CO₂ laser radiation was effectively absorbed by the used activated carbon cloth and largely converted into thermal energy. The type of modification depended on laser power density, number of pulses, but mostly on material characteristics such as specific surface area. The higher the surface area of activated carbon cloth, the higher the damage threshold.

Key words: Activated carbon cloth, Transversely excited atmospheric (TEA) CO₂ laser, Nanoporous material, Laser-material interaction