Simulating laser-fluid coupling and laser-induced cavitation using embedded boundary and level set methods

•A novel numerical method to simulate cavitation induced by long-pulsed laser.•The processes of laser radiation, vaporization, and bubble/fluid dynamics are simulated simultaneously.•An embedded boundary method is proposed for laser-fluid coupling, well-posed with 2nd-order accuracy.•The level set method is combined with a phase transition law to track continuous vaporization.•Predictive capability demonstrated by simulations of different laser experiments.