  The dynamical properties of Cu in a regime relevant to femtosecond micro
machining are obtained on picosecond time scales using pump-probe reflectivity
study for 100fs, 1015 W cm-2 laser pulses. The electrical resistivity is
obtained by solving Helmoltz equations. The dissipation mechanisms and scaling
laws are obtained in high and low temperature limits. The 'resistivity
saturation' effect in an unexplored regime intermediate to hot plasma and cold
solid is studied in detail. The temperature evolution and thermal conductivity
is obtained in the temporal range 0 to 30ps after the interaction of laser
pulse with solid Cu.

Plasma Physics;Optics