Molecular-level mechanisms of nanoparticle detachment in laser-induced plasma shock waves

Abstract

Detachment and detachment mechanisms of nanoparticles from flat surfaces subjected to shock waves are investigated by employing molecular gas dynamic simulations using the direct simulation Monte Carlo method and experimental transient pressure data. Two mechanisms for nanoparticle detachment based on rolling moment resistance of the adhesion bond and the elastic restitution effect are introduced. As a result of present simulations, it is computationally demonstrated that the pulsed laser-induced shock waves can generate sufficient rolling moments to detach sub-100-nm particles and initiate removal. The transient moment exerted on a 60nm polystyrene latex particle on a silicon substrate is presented and discussed.