Article
Steady-state mechanism for polymer ablation by a free-running Er:YAG laser
Applied Surface Science
(2006)
Abstract
A free-running Er:YAG laser is used to ablate polyethylene glycol and the ablation yield is studied as a function of molecular weight (1000–10,000 g/mol) and laser fluence (8–25 J/cm2). A steady-state ablation mechanism is proposed which includes recoil-induced expulsion as the primary contributor to the ablation yield. It is also proposed that the formation of a molten layer is a necessary part of the ablation mechanism because the calculated tensile strengths for the solid polymer are too large to permit fracture of the target due to the laser-induced stress transient. The ablation yield is found to depend in a sigmoidal fashion upon laser fluence, thus implying a variable ablation enthalpy. Finally, the current results are compared with that obtained previously with a free electron laser.
Keywords
- Laser ablation,
- Steady-state,
- Ablation mechanism,
- Pulsed laser deposition,
- Polymer ablation,
- Physical vapor deposition
Disciplines
Publication Date
December 30, 2006
DOI
10.1016/j.apsusc.2006.04.059
Citation Information
D. M. D. M. Bubb, A. O. Sezerm, D. Harris, F. Rezae, et al.. "Steady-state mechanism for polymer ablation by a free-running Er:YAG laser" Applied Surface Science Vol. 253 Iss. 5 (2006) p. 2386 - 2392 ISSN: 0169-4332 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/stephen_kelty/6/