  The structural evolution of laser-excited systems of gold has previously been
measured through ultrafast MeV electron diffraction. However, there has been a
long-standing inability of atomistic simulations to provide a consistent
picture of the melt process, concluding in large discrepancies between the
predicted threshold energy density for complete melt, as well as the the
transition between heterogeneous and homogeneous melting. We employ
two-temperature classical molecular dynamics simulations utilizing a highly
optimized embedded-atom-method potential. We are able to match time-resolved
electron diffraction data, and find consistency between atomistic simulations
and experiments, by allowing laser energy to be transported away from the
interaction region. This additional energy-loss pathway, which scales strongly
with laser fluence, we attribute to fast electron production in the target.
