Laser Ablation Of Solid Target Research Articles

Structural, spectroscopi c and laser properties of transparent Tm:YScO3 ceramic based on gas-phase synthesized nanoparticles

Owing to the combination of good thermo-optical properties and inhomogeneously broadened fluorescence spectra suitable for ultrashort laser pulse generation, rare-earth doped solid solutions of sesquioxides (Y,Lu,Sc)2O3 have attracted considerable interest in recent years. In this study, compositionally disordered Tm3+-doped YScO3 transparent ceramic was fabricated using solid-state vacuum sintering of nanopowder produced using laser ablation of solid target in air flow. The as-synthesized powder consisted of weakly aggregated spherical particles having 20 nm diameter and a mostly monoclinic (space group C2/m) crystal structure, whose symmetry was transformed into cubic (space group Ia-3) by calcination at 1050 °C. From high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), we observed a homogeneous distribution of components both throughout individual nanoparticles and 100-nm-thick ceramic foil resulting in high structural and optical quality of the obtained samples. The sintered ceramic featured an optical transmission of 77% at 600 nm and above 81% near 2 μm, an average grain size of 24.2 μm and a content of scattering centers of 26.1 ppm. The absorption spectra at several temperatures, from 93 K to 293 K, were measured and the corresponding absorption coefficients were obtained by Lambert-Beer formula in the range from 600 nm to 900 nm and from 1400 nm to 2100 nm. In particular, the room temperature absorption cross section at 794 nm and 1634 nm were determined to be σabs = 4.25 × 10−21 cm2 and σabs = 5.01 × 10−21 cm2 respectively. Concerning the emission cross section it was calculated by Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg equation starting from the fluorescence spectrum acquired at the laser work temperature: at 1951 nm and 2106 nm corresponding to the main two emission peaks belonging the curve, it was found σem = 9.2 × 10−21 cm2 and σem = 4.9 × 10−21 cm2, respectively. Finally, it was tested the laser behavior of the ceramic: pumped at 793 nm in quasi-CW mode it delivered 1.27 W of output power with a slope efficiency of 10.33% at 2081 nm. The tunability curve spans from 1942 nm to 2110 nm (i.e. 168 nm).

Laser ablation for material processing

The laser ablation is an established material processing for many applications in nanotechnology, materials science and biomedicine. The laser ablation can be carried out in vacuum, in air and in liquid. Laser ablation mechanisms and their products depend on laser fluence, wavelength, pulse duration, ablation environment as well as target composition, density, thickness, roughness. This contribution is addressed to laser ablation of solid targets with the aim of hot plasma generation and thin film deposition on substrates located in appropriate positions in vacuum and in air. In the first section is presented an example of forward and backward plasma accelerations using the sub-nanosecond laser at the PALS laboratory (Czech Republic) for pulsed laser deposition processing. In the second section is reported the use of a nanosecond laser coupled to a post-accelerating compact system employed at the INFN in Catania (Italy) to ablate germanium solid targets in vacuum and to deposit thin films on SiO2/Si substrates to modify their native features. The last section is focused on the use of the nanosecond laser at the Tandetron laboratory (Czech Republic) employed for pulsed laser deposition and laser-induced backward transfer processing in vacuum and in air.

Laser ablation synthesis and characteristics of Tm-doped Gd2O3 nanoparticles

Synthesis of nano-sized particles of thulium-doped gadolinium sesquioxide is reported. The nanopowder was obtained by laser ablation of solid target composed of a mixture of Tm2O3 and Gd2O3 powders using radiation of pulse-periodical CO2 laser. Morphological features, structural characteristics of nanoparticles and their densification behavior were investigated. It was shown that the as-synthesized nanopowder consists of loosely agglomerated particles with spherical shape and a diameter from 10 to 40 nm. It was revealed that the obtained sample is in the form of solid solution of Tm2O3 in Gd2O3 with monoclinic crystalline phase exhibiting the following lattice parameters: a = 14.095 Å; b = 3.571 Å c = 8.758 Å β = 100.182 °. Using X-ray diffraction analysis it was determined that, as opposed to other rare-earth sesquioxides (for instance, Y2O3 and Lu2O3), the phase transformation of monoclinic modification into cubic modification was not observed under thermal treatment at a temperature up to 1200 °C. This was also confirmed by an absence of stepwise variation in density of Tm:Gd2O3 compact which was evident for Gd2O3 sample prepared from powder with cubic phase and micro-sized particles.

Offline ion source for laser spectroscopy of RI at the SLOWRI

The ion source combining laser ablation of solid targets in helium gas and an RF ion guide system with an RF carpet was constructed for a reference measurement of isotope shifts. It is important for performing planned collinear laser spectroscopy of RI beams from the SLOWRI facility at RIKEN, especially for medium-mass nuclei of refractory elements. They are difficult to produce via the ISOL method owing to the chemical properties of the elements. The laser-ablated ions of Ni, Zr, Ag, Ta, W, and Ba were transported by the ion guide and mass spectra consistent with the natural abundance were successfully observed corresponding to 105–107 ions per laser pulse.

Dynamics of laser-induced cavitation bubbles at a solid–liquid interface in high viscosity and high capillary number regimes

No unified model is available yet to explain the dynamics of laser-induced cavitation bubbles during laser ablation of solid targets in liquids, when an extremely high capillary number is achieved (>100), i.e., when the viscous forces strongly contribute to the friction. By investigating laser-induced bubbles on gold and yttrium-iron-garnet targets as a function of the liquid viscosity, using a nanosecond laser and an ultrafast shadowgraph imaging setup, we give a deeper insight into what determines the bubble dynamics. We find that the competition between the viscous forces and the surface tension (capillary number Ca), on the one hand, and the competition between the viscous forces and inertia (Reynolds number Re), on the other hand, are both key factors. Increasing the viscous forces, and hereby Ca up to 100 has an impact on the bubble shape and results in a very pronounced rim, which separates the bubble in a spherical cap driven by inertia and an interlayer. The temporal evolution of the footprint radius of the interlayer can be addressed in the framework of the inertiocapillary regime. For an intermediate viscosity, the thickness of the interlayer is consistent with a boundary layer equation. Interestingly, our data cannot be interpreted with simplified hydrodynamic (Cox–Voinov) or molecular-kinetic theory models, highlighting the originality of the dynamics reported when extremely high capillary numbers are achieved. Upon bubble collapse, spherical persistent microbubbles are created and partly dispersed in water, whereas the high-viscous polyalphaolefines lead to long-standing oblate persistent bubbles sticking to the target’s surface, independent of the ablated target. Overall, liquid’s viscosity determines laser ablation-induced cavitation.

Formation of metastable zirconium oxides using pulsed laser deposition of ZrO based target

There is a growing interest about the possibilities for preparation of various zirconium oxides from scientific as well as application point of view. Laser ablation of solid target consisting of sintered grains of metallic hexagonal Zr3O and monoclinic ZrO2 results in evaporation of Zr, O species (ions, atoms) and subsequent deposition of Zr-O film. Ta and Cu have been used as substrates. The films were analyzed by SEM-EDX, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. SEM analysis revealed µm/sub-µm sized roundshape and ring-like objects on continuous coat. Using Raman spectroscopy broad peaks which can suggest partial laser induced amorphization of Zr-O deposits were detected. FTIR spectroscopy shows bands which are assignable to Zr-O vibration of nanostructured zirconia. X-ray diffraction analysis provides more explicit assignment of deposited phases where the deposit on Ta exhibits presence of monoclinic ZrO2, oxygen deficient rhombohedric Zr3O and interestingly indicates presence of high-pressure orthorhombic ZrO2 phase. The coat on Cu consists of monoclinic ZrO2, rhombohedric Zr3O, and metastable tetragonal ZrO2 phase.

Laser-ablative fabrication of nanoparticle inks for 3D inkjetprinting of multifunctional coatings

We report the fabrication of multifunctional coatings via inkjet printing using water-based nanoinks in the form of selenium (Se) and gold (Au) nanoparticle (NP) colloids, prepared by laser ablation of solid targets in deionized water or 50%-isopropyl alcohol solution. Nanoparticles and NP-based coatings were deposited onto silver films, magnetronsputtered to silica-glass substrates, and characterized by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), UV-vis-IR, Raman and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopies.

Influence of the laser pulse repetition rate and scanning speed on the morphology of Ag nanostructures fabricated by pulsed laser ablation of solid target in water

Nanostructures of noble metal were produced by pulsed laser ablation in liquid. A solid Ag target was immersed in double distilled water and a CuBr laser in a master oscillator—power amplifier configuration oscillating at 511 nm and emitting pulses with duration of 30 ns at a repetition rate of up to 20 kHz was employed to produce different colloids. The impact was studied of the laser pulse repetition rate and the beam scanning speed on the morphology of the nanostructures formed. Further, the optical extinction spectra of the colloids in the UV/VIS range were measured and used to make an indirect assessment of the changes in the shape and size distribution of the nanostructures. The transmission values in the near UV range were used to estimate the efficiency of the ablation process under the different experimental conditions implemented. A visualization of the nanostructures was made possible by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structure and phase composition of the nanoparticles were studied by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED), while the alteration of the target surface caused by the impact of the high-repetition-rate laser illumination was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The optimal conditions were determined yielding the highest efficiency in terms of amount of ablated material.

Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles in Liquid Environment by Laser Ablation with Geometrically Confined Configurations: Insights To Improve Size Control and Productivity

Laser ablation of solid targets in liquid environment allows the generation of nanoparticles (NPs) with several useful properties such as high purity, easily functionalizable surface, metastable composition, or complex structure, including doped nanocrystals, core–shells, hollow microspheres, nanotruffles, or nanocrescents. However, the mechanisms of NPs formation is still not well understood, and challenges remain in size control and productivity. Here, we investigate how the asymmetry intrinsic of laser-matter interaction can influence the structure and yield of gold NPs produced with nanosecond pulses. In particular, we confined the geometry of the laser ablation configuration in three ways: by reducing the thickness of the solid target from bulk size to a few tens of nanometers, by reducing the size of the laser spot on the solid target, and finally, by reducing the lateral size of the bulk target. The interpretation of results was supported with numerical simulations of heat distribution inside the m...

Femtosecond laser ablation of an aluminum target in air

The dynamics of laser ablation of solid target with ultrashort intense laser pulses is not only fundamentally interesting, but also relevant to a few important applications such as microfabrication, laser propulsion, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, etc. By use of time-resolved pump-probe shadowgraphic imaging technology, we study the dynamic process of laser ablation of a planar aluminum target in air. The incident laser pulses are from a Ti: sapphire femtosecond laser amplifier system with a duration of 50 fs, central wavelength of 800 nm, pulse energy varying between 4 mJ and 7 mJ. Time-resolved shadowgraphs of material ejection from the aluminum target are recorded at the time delay up to a few nanoseconds after laser irradiation. By changing the distance between the target and the focal point of the incident laser, we obtain the shadowgraphs of the target ejection under different laser spot sizes. When the laser spot size is relatively large say, over 1 mm, the irradiated target surface is ablated in the form of a planar shock. However, when the laser spot size is relatively small, the ejection appears in the form of a hemispherical blast wave. It is found that the hemispherical blast wave well conforms to the Sedov's blast wave theory. When the laser energy is relatively large, it is found that ionization of air has a great effect on laser ablation. Additional small ejections appear as columnar and hemispherical structures near the laser axis, which are superimposed on the large planar shock. These can be attributed to the following processes. Firstly, as the ionization of air occurs near the laser axis, effective heat transfer from air plasma to the aluminium target leads to enhanced target temperature. This leads to the formation of a columnar structure on a picosecond time scale. Secondly, the columnar ejection and air plasma expansion near the laser axis result in the decrease of air density and pressure, which leads to the formation of the hemispherical structure on a nanosecond time scale.

Dynamics of femtosecond laser-produced plasma ions

We investigated the ion laser-produced plasma plume generated during ultrafast laser ablation of copper and silicon targets in high vacuum. The ablation plasma was induced by ≈50 fs, 800 nm Ti:Sa laser pulses irradiating the target surface at an angle of 45°. An ion probe was used to investigate the time-of-flight profiles of the emitted ions in a laser fluence range from the ablation threshold up to ≈10 J/cm2. The angular distribution of the ion flux and average velocity of the produced ions were studied by moving the ion probe on a circle around the ablation spot. The angular distribution of the ion flux is well described by an adiabatic and isentropic model of expansion of a plume produced by laser ablation of solid targets. The angular distribution of the ion flux narrows as the laser pulse fluence increases. Moreover, the ion average velocity reaches values of several tens of km/s, evidencing the presence of ions with kinetic energy of several hundred eV. Finally, the ion flux energy is confined in a narrow angular region around the target normal.

Time-resolved observation for dynamic evolution of plasma produced by multiple laser pulse exposure to metallic surface

Pulsed laser ablation of solid target has very wide applications in many areas at present. However, most theoretical and experimental investigations focus on the interaction between pulsed laser and solid target with flat surface. It is significant for practical application of pulsed laser to research it interact with a non-smooth target surface. In this paper, time-resolved observation using ICCD camera has been performed to research process of plasma induced by nanosecond laser pulse ablation of copper target with a rough plaque. The experiment result shows the copper target is ionized at first and plasma plume then produce. Moreover, the plasma plume produce again at the end of the laser pulse because large amount of particles moves towards the target and transfer energy to the surface resulted in ionization.

Analysis of the structure, configuration, and sizing of Cu and Cu oxide nanoparticles generated by fs laser ablation of solid target in liquids

We report on the analysis of structure, configuration, and sizing of Cu and Cu oxide nanoparticles (Nps) produced by femtosecond (fs) laser ablation of solid copper target in liquids. Laser pulse energy ranged between 500 μJ and 50 μJ. Water and acetone were used to produce the colloidal suspensions. The study was performed through optical extinction spectroscopy using Mie theory to fit the full experimental spectra, considering free and bound electrons size dependent contributions to the metal dielectric function. Raman spectroscopy and AFM technique were also used to characterize the sample. Considering the possible oxidation of copper during the fabrication process, two species (Cu and Cu2O) arranged in two structures (bare core or core-shell) and in two configuration types (Cu-Cu2O or Cu2O-Cu) were considered for the fitting depending on the laser pulse energy and the surrounding media. For water at high energy, it can be observed that a Cu-Cu2O configuration fits the experimental spectra of the colloidal suspension, while for decreasing energy and below a certain threshold, a Cu2O-Cu configuration needs to be included for the optimum fit. Both species coexist for energies below 170 μJ for water. On the other hand, for acetone at high energy, optimum fit of the full spectrum suggests the presence a bimodal Cu-Cu2O core-shell Nps distribution while for decreasing energy and below a 70 μJ threshold energy value, Cu2O-Cu core-shell Nps must be included, together with the former configuration, for the fit of the full spectrum. We discuss possible reasons for the changes in the structural configuration of the core-shell Nps.

Fluctuation kinetics of fluorescence hopping quenching in the Nd3+:Y2O3 spherical nanoparticles

We study the peculiarities of energy transfer kinetics from the 4F3/2 laser level in the Nd3+ doped Y2O3 spherical nanoparticles of monoclinic phase synthesized by laser ablation of solid targets with subsequent recondensation in flow of air at atmospheric pressure comparing to the similar bulk crystal. We show that the fluorescence quenching in the nanoparticles is determined by two processes depending on Nd3+ concentration and the degree of dehydration. At concentrations less than 1% the fluorescence quenching is mainly determined by direct (static) quenching by vibrations of OH− molecular groups associated with oxygen vacancies. At concentrations greater than 1at % quenching is due to energy migration over neodymium ions, followed by the Nd3+–OH− quenching. In the latter case, the first time in a solid-state impurity laser medium we observe non-stationary kinetics on the entire length of a time-dependent luminescence quenching, starting from static decay and ending with fluctuation kinetics of fluorescence hopping quenching.

Shock pressure in femtosecond laser ablation of solid target

The concepts of shock pressure and shock temperature in the interaction of femtosecond laser pulse and solid target are defined. Then the relationship between the shock pressure and other physical parameters in the process of femtosecond laser ablation of aluminum, copper, and silicon targets are discussed. Absolute values of shock pressure are calculated by means of the time-resolved pump detection shadow-graph. Result of this investigation plays an important role in the secure femtosecond laser processing of energetic materials and the femtosecond laser propulsion technology.

Shock temperature of femtosecond laser ablation of solid target

The concept of shock temperature in the interaction betweer femtosecond laser pulses and a solid target is defined. The relationship between the shock temperature and other physical parameters in the process of femtosecond laser ablation of aluminum and copper targets is discussed. Absolute values of shock temperature are calculated by means of a two-temperature model. Shock temperature is calculated distribution based on the non-Fourier heat conduction model. Result of this investigation plays an important role in the secure femtosecond laser processing of energetic materials.

Ferromagnetic GaAs Structures with Single Mn Delta-Layer Fabricated Using Laser Deposition

The new technique combining metal-organic chemical vapor epitaxy with laser ablation of solid targets was used for fabrication of ferromagnetic GaAs structures with single Mn delta-doped layer. The structures demonstrated anomalous Hall effect, planar Hall effect, negative and anisotropic magnetoresistance in temperature range of 10-35 K. In GaAs structures with only single Mn delta-layer (without additional 2D hole gas channel or quantum well) ferromagnetism was observed for the first time.

Stable generation of high-order harmonics of femtosecond laser radiation from laser produced plasma plumes at 1 kHz pulse repetition rate

We present a method for the creation of stable weakly ionized plasmas from laser ablation of solid targets using a 1 kHz pulse repetition rate laser, which can be used for stable high-order harmonic generation from plasma plumes. The plasma plumes were generated from cylindrical rotating targets. Without target rotation the intensity of harmonics in the 40-80 nm range drops by more than one order of magnitude during less than 10(3) shots, while, with rotation of the target at typically 30 revolutions per minute, stable emission of high-order harmonics from aluminum plasma plumes with variation of less than 10% was maintained for >10(6) laser shots.

Monitoring the formation of inorganic fullerene-like MoS2 nanostructures by laser ablation in liquid environments

Laser ablation of solid targets in liquid media is emerging as a simple, clean and reproducible way to generate a large number of intriguing nanometric structures with peculiar properties. In this work we present some results on the formation of MoS2 fullerene-like nanoparticles (10–15nm diameter) obtained by the ablation of crystalline targets in water. Such a top–down approach can be considered greener than standard sulphidization reactions and represents an intriguing single step procedure. The generation of the MoS2 nanostructures is in competition with that of oxide clusters and strongly depends on the oxidative environment created by the plasma plume. The size, shape and crystalline phase of the obtained nanoparticles are studied by microscopy while X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy is used to investigate the chemical state of produced nanostructures and to propose mechanisms for their growth.

Stability of contamination-free gold and silver nanoparticles produced by nanosecond laser ablation of solid targets in water

Preparation of noble metal nanoparticle (NPs) colloids using pulsed laser ablation in water has an inherent advantage compared to the different chemical methods used, especially when biological applications of the colloids are considered. The fabrication method is simple and the NPs prepared in this way are contamination free.The method of laser ablation of a solid target in water is applied in the present work in order to obtain gold and silver NP colloids. The experiment was preformed by using the fundamental wavelength (1064nm) of a Nd:YAG laser system. The target immersed in double distilled water was irradiated for 20min by laser pulses with duration of 15ns and repetition rate of 10Hz. The sedimentation and aggregation of NPs in the colloids, stored at constant temperature, as a function of the time after preparation were investigated. The analyses are based on optical transmission spectroscopy in UV and vis regions. The change of the plasmon resonance wavelength as a function of time was studied. Zeta potential measurement was also utilized to measure the charge of the NPs in the colloids. The size distribution of the NPs and its change in time was determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). On the basis of the results obtained, the optimal conditions of post fabrication manipulation with gold and silver colloids are defined in view of producing stable NPs with a narrow size distribution.