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Phase explosion and recoil-induced ejection in resonant-infrared laser ablation of polystyrene

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Abstract

We investigate the phenomenon of resonant-infrared laser ablation of polymers using polystyrene as a model material. Ablation is carried out using various mid-IR laser wavelengths that are resonant with vibrational modes of a polystyrene target. Time-resolved plume imaging coupled with etch-depth measurements and thermal calculations indicate that ablation begins after a superheated surface layer reaches a temperature of ∼1000°C and undergoes spinodal decomposition. The majority of the ablated material is then expelled by way of recoil-induced ejection as the pressure of the expanding vapor plume compresses a laser-melted area.

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Author notes

  1. S. L. Johnson

    Present address: Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA

    S. L. Johnson & R. F. Haglund Jr.

  2. Department of Physics, Rutgers University-Camden, Camden, NJ, 08102, USA

    D. M. Bubb

Authors
  1. S. L. Johnson
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  2. D. M. Bubb
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  3. R. F. Haglund Jr.
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Correspondence to S. L. Johnson.

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Johnson, S.L., Bubb, D.M. & Haglund, R.F. Phase explosion and recoil-induced ejection in resonant-infrared laser ablation of polystyrene. Appl. Phys. A 96, 627–635 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-009-5290-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-009-5290-3

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