Abstract: To improve the technology of modifying material properties by using laser induced shock waves,the properties of laser shock waves were studied.The piezoelectric waves were measured using a polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF) piezoelectric gauge of a short rise time and a wide linear response range,together with an oscilloscope.Depending on the piezoelectric waves,laser-induced shock waves were measured.The laser-induced shock waves in the confinement geometry were analyzed and compared to that in the direct ablation regime.In the confined condition,the FWHM of laser-induced shock wave was three times that of laser and the peak pressure was much higher than that in the direct ablation regime.The average propagation velocity of the laser-induced shock wave in stainless steel was 5.72×103m/s.