A wide-range model for simulation of pump-probe experiments with metals

► Pump-probe experiments provide an integral test of the models in the theoretically difficult regime of warm dense matter. ► The target material motion is evident for heating by femtosecond pulses of intensity more than 1014 W/cm2. ► Phase shift of S and P-polarized pulses is different because of separated zones of absorption. ► Uncertainty in the pulse energy determination of ∼10% gives substantial deflection of the theoretical curves. ► The surface target oxide films may result in bigger phase shift in experiment.