Pulsed UV Laser Research Articles

Unipolar terahertz pulse formation in a nonequilibrium plasma channel formed by an ultrashort uv laser pulse.

We perform an alternative approach to produce highly unipolar terahertz pulses. The idea is based on the nonuniform amplification of seed ultrashort carrier-envelope phase (CEP) pulses in nonequilibrium fast relaxing plasma of air or nitrogen. If the gain coefficient drops significantly within the duration of a one-cycle CEP pulse, it undergoes significant distortion where the leading edge of the pulse is amplified and the trailing tail of opposite polarity is absorbed. The obtained results involve a self-consistent solution of the second-order wave equation and kinetic Boltzmann equation for the electron velocity distribution function relaxation.

Investigation of UV, ns-laser damage resistance of hafnia films produced by electron beam evaporation and ion beam sputtering deposition methods

Laser-induced damage in coating materials with a high index of refraction, such as hafnia, limits the performance of high power and high energy laser systems. Understanding the underlying physics responsible for laser damage holds the key for developing damage-resistant optical films. Previous studies have reported a substantial difference in laser damage onset for hafnia films produced by different deposition methods, yet the underlying mechanisms for the observed difference remain elusive. We combined laser damage testing with analytical characterizations and theoretical simulations to investigate the response of hafnia films produced by electron (e-) beam evaporation vs ion beam sputtering (IBS) methods upon UV ns-laser exposure. We found that e-beam produced hafnia films were overall more damage resistant; in addition, we observed a polarization anisotropy associated with the onset of damage in the e-beam films, while this effect was absent in the latter films. The observed differences can be attributed to the stark contrast in the pressure inside the pores inherent in both films. The high pressure inside the IBS-induced nanobubbles has been shown to reduce the threshold for laser-induced plasma breakdown leading to film damage. The polarization effects in the e-beam coatings can be related to the asymmetric electric field intensification induced by the columnar void structure. Our findings provide a fundamental basis for developing strategies to produce laser damage-resistant coatings for UV pulsed laser applications.

Arsenic-Doped SnSe Thin Films Prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition.

Pulsed UV laser deposition was exploited for the preparation of thin Sn50–xAsxSe50 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.5, and 2.5) films with the aim of investigating the influence of low arsenic concentration on the properties of the deposited layers. It was found that the selected deposition method results in growth of a highly (h00) oriented orthorhombic SnSe phase. The thin films were characterized by different techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman scattering spectroscopy, and spectroscopic ellipsometry. From the results, it can be concluded that thin films containing 0.5 atom % of As exhibited extreme values regarding crystallite size, unit cell volume, or refractive index that significantly differ from those of other samples. Laser ablation with quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to identify and compare species present in the plasma originating from the interaction of a laser pulse with solid-state Sn50–xAsxSe50 materials in both forms, i.e. parent powders as well as deposited thin films. The mass spectra of both materials were similar; particularly, signals of SnmSen+ clusters with low m and n values were observed.

Investigation of UV filaments and their applications

UV laser pulses at 266 nm with 170 ps duration and up to 300 mJ energy create UV filaments. The effects of different beam preparation scenarios on UV filamentation are discussed. Beam preparation by focusing in vacuum and launching into the atmosphere through an aerodynamic window establishes the existence of filaments as self-guided non-diffracting entities. In addition, focusing through the aerodynamic window converts the initial super-Gaussian into a parabolic beam profile at the edge of the nonlinear medium (air). The shock-wave generated by the UV filament is investigated via shadowgraphy techniques. The shock-wave is cylindrically symmetric, leaving a low density channel behind, which is well-sustained for 1 ms, as it propagates outward. This low density channel is a waveguide that can be used for guiding purposes. Applications of UV filaments including guiding, remote sensing, and drag reduction for supersonic aircrafts are discussed.

Modification of the Cu-Zr bronze surface by exposure to powerful UV laser pulses

The laser pre-treatment of Cu-Zr alloy surface for diffusion welding, which is used in the aerospace industry for joining dissimilar materials, has been investigated. The effect of a nanosecond UV laser pulse on the surface of Cu-Zr alloy samples was studied. It was found that at a pulse energy density E ∼ 0.2-1 J/cm2 pre-ablative microscopic effects of mainly thermal nature were observed in the metal, also there were uplifts of material in the irradiated zone. The surface profile of the sample in the irradiated zone corresponds to the energy distribution of the laser beam. Significant deformations occurred in the crystal structure of the surface layer, and an irreversible configuration of the metal surface was created. At E ≥ 1 J/cm2 an optical breakdown with the formation of a plasma torch and with the appearance of a classical laser crater was observed. The arising erosion of the surface prevented registration of this effect. Microanalysis showed that the concentration of zirconium in the surface layer of the metal after exposure decreased.

Regeneration of Fiber Bragg Gratings and Their Responses Under X-Rays

Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs)-based temperature sensors present numerous advantages such as small packaging, fast acquisition rate, and accuracy for structural health-monitoring applications in nuclear environments. Among the various classes of FBGs, Type I FBGs are inscribed with a UV continuous or pulsed laser on a photosensitive fiber or with femtosecond laser even in nonphotosensitive fibers. These gratings, however, cannot survive at temperatures exceeding 400 °C. Regenerated FBG (RFBG) gratings, instead, are derivative from type I grating: when a high thermal treatment (> 650 °C) is applied after the inscription on a prehydrogenated fiber, a new grating (RFBG) appears with different thermal properties. It withstands temperatures as high as 1000 °C, opening the way to new application fields such as the temperature monitoring of the nuclear reactor cores. This work investigates the radiation response of RFBGs originated from type I seed FBGs inscribed with an argon laser (244 nm) in two different fibers (SMF-28e fiber or in a B/Ge co-doped fiber), loaded with either H <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> or D <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> before the inscription to enhance the fiber photosensitivity. Regeneration was achieved at 650 °C or 900 °C depending on the fiber type. After this, the RFBGs were irradiated under 40-keV X-rays at two different dose rates [1 Gy(SiO <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sub> )/s or 10 Gy/s] and at two temperatures of irradiation-25 °C or 250 °C. At room-temperature (RT) irradiation, a Bragg Wavelength Shift (BWS) of about 35 pm was observed for the SMF-28e and more than 130 pm for the B/Ge fiber at 400-kGy dose, and the combined temperature and radiation constraints reveal that the RFBGs are radiation-tolerant. Indeed, no BWS is observed anymore, at the highest temperature of irradiation.

Effects of Femtosecond UV Laser Pulses on the Structure and Surface Dynamics of Medicinal Plants DNA, Monitored by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Potential medical application of UV laser pulses for cancer treatment is one of the main motivations behind this study. Surface-enhanced Raman signatures-based structural and (sub)picosecond dynamical characterization of genomic DNAs from different medicinal plants are presented. Moreover, structural and surface dynamical changes induced in genomic DNAs from selected medicinal plants species by UV femtosecond laser pulses (λ=280 nm, 170 fs) were investigated between 300 and 1800 cm−1. As a general observation, after nucleic acids irradiation some modes became higher in intensity especially in the wavenumber range between 1050 cm−1–1650 cm−1 or new profiles appeared in this interval in the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) characteristics. Changes in the structure of dA, dG, dC dT residues, nucleic acid backbone and deoxyribose or unstacking of DNA bases were found. Large wavenumber shifts of the marker bands, which appear in the SERS spectra upon nucleic acids irradiation might be associated with loss of essential structural organization of DNA. As far as surface dynamics of DNA is concerned, for control nucleic acids functional groups, the global relaxation times varied between 0.39–1.77 ps and for UV femtosecond laser pulses-irradiated DNAs, this parameter was slower than 0.35 ps and faster than 1.63 ps. A decrease of the limit values of global relaxation times variation interval is to be observed upon UV treatment of nucleic acids. This faster surface dynamics might be explained by the presence of broken bonds (lesions) in DNA systems after laser pulses irradiation.

Optical Characterization of Ciprofloxacin Photolytic Degradation by UV-Pulsed Laser Radiation.

Ciprofloxacin is one of the most prescribed antibiotics in treating bacterial infections, becoming an important pollutant of the wastewaters. Moreover, ciprofloxacin is hard to be destroyed by conventional water treatment processes; therefore, efficient treatments to destroy it are needed in water decontamination. This study offers insights into the performance of 266 nm laser beams on the photodegradation of ciprofloxacin. An Nd:YAG laser was used that emitted 266 nm at an energy of 6.5 mJ (power of 65 mW) and ciprofloxacin water solutions were irradiated up to 240 min. The irradiated solutions were investigated by UV-Vis and FTIR absorption spectroscopy, pH assay, and laser-induced fluorescence. An HPTLC densitometer was used to characterize the laser-induced fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime of photodegradation products. The UV-Vis absorption, FTIR, and laser-induced fluorescence spectra showed the degradation of ciprofloxacin. Moreover, HPTLC densitometry offered the fluorescence and fluorescence lifetime of ciprofloxacin and its three photoproducts as well as their relative quantification. From the FTIR spectra, the molecular structure of two out of three photoproducts was proposed. In conclusion, the laser irradiation method provided the efficient photodegradation of ciprofloxacin, whereas the analytical techniques offered the proper means to monitor the process and detect the obtained photoproducts.

Surface Modification of a WC–3% Co Hard Alloy by Powerful Nanosecond UV Laser Pulses

Surface Modification of a WC–3% Co Hard Alloy by Powerful Nanosecond UV Laser Pulses

Effect of pulsed laser annealing on optical and structural properties of ZnO:Eu thin film

ZnO:Eu thin film fabricated by pulsed laser deposition was treated by pulsed UV laser. The effect of laser fluence from 70 to 125 mJ cm−2 on film properties was investigated. The results showed that the surface morphology was clearly modified and the film treated at laser fluence of 70 mJ cm−2 was more densified compared to the other annealed films. Laser treatment led to a reduction of carbon content and to a stoichiometric ZnO:Eu composition on the surface. Refractive index significantly decreased and extinction coefficient was blue shifted for higher laser fluences. Strong characteristic Eu3+ transitions were obtained using excitation at 266 nm. The highest photoluminescence intensity was observed for the annealed film at a laser fluence of 70 mJ cm−2. The influence of ambient composition (N2 and O2) and temperature (room temperature and 150 °C) to photoluminescence response was examined for optical gas sensor application. The laser-untreated film showed higher sensitivity to the presence of oxygen at both temperatures compared to the treated film. The stability of photoluminescence intensity at elevated temperature was improved for laser-treated areas.

Evaluation of Local Mechanical and Chemical Properties via AFM as a Tool for Understanding the Formation Mechanism of Pulsed UV Laser-Nanoinduced Patterns on Azo-Naphthalene-Based Polyimide Films.

Aromatic polyimides containing side azo-naphthalene groups have been investigated regarding their capacity of generating surface relief gratings (SRGs) under pulsed UV laser irradiation through phase masks, using different fluencies and pulse numbers. The process of the material photo-fluidization and the supramolecular re-organization of the surface were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). At first, an AFM nanoscale topographical analysis of the induced SRGs was performed in terms of morphology and tridimensional amplitude, spatial, hybrid, and functional parameters. Afterward, a nanomechanical characterization of SRGs using an advanced method, namely, AFM PinPoint mode, was performed, where the quantitative nanomechanical properties (i.e., modulus, adhesion, deformation) of the nanostructured azo-polyimide surfaces were acquired with a highly correlated topographic registration. This method proved to be very effective in understanding the formation mechanism of the surface modulations during pulsed UV laser irradiation. Additionally to AFM investigations, confocal Raman measurements and molecular simulations were performed to provide information about structured azo-polyimide chemical composition and macromolecular conformation induced by laser irradiation.

Vibrational self-quenching rates of CO(v=1,2) measured via transient diode laser absorption spectroscopy

New laboratory measurements of the rate coefficients for the vibrational relaxation of CO(v=1) and CO(v=2) through collisions with CO have been performed. The experimental approach involved creating a temperature-jump in an equilibrium mixture of CO and bath gases by photolyzing a trace amount of O3 in the mixture with a pulsed UV laser. This shifted a small fraction of the CO population to excited vibrational states. Transient diode laser absorption spectroscopy was then used to observe the evolving vibrational state populations as a function of time. Rate coefficients were deduced from the change in collisional relaxation rate with quencher concentration. This work was motivated by the need for a robust non-LTE model to describe Titan's upper atmosphere. Because the gas collision frequencies are not sufficient to reach thermal equilibrium in a non-LTE environment, the distribution of states is not easily predicted. To properly model such a region, all contributing vibrational energy transfer mechanisms must be thoroughly characterized. Despite their importance, the uncertainties associated with several CO quenching rate parameters in the literature are large. In this work, the rate coefficient for CO(v=2) self-quenching was measured to be (2.7 ± 0.6) x 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1and the overall rate coefficient for CO(v=1) self-quenching was measured to be (1.8 ± 0.3) x 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Each represents a significant decrease in uncertainty compared with values being used in current Titan non-LTE models.

Simulation of the effect of vibrational pre-excitation on the dynamics of pyrrole photo-dissociation.

Photo-dissociation dynamics is simulated for vibrationally pre-excited pyrrole molecules using an ab initio multiple cloning approach. Total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra and dissociation times are calculated. It is found that pre-excitation of N-H bond vibrations facilitates fast direct dissociation, which results in a significant increase in the high-energy wing of TKER spectra. The results are in very good agreement with the recent vibrationally mediated photo-dissociation experiment, where the TKER spectrum was measured for pyrrole molecules excited by a combination of IR and UV laser pulses. Calculations for other vibrational modes show that this effect is specific for N-H bond vibrations: Pre-excitation of other modes does not result in any significant changes in TKER spectra.

Identification of Excitons and Biexcitons in Sb2Se3 under High Photoluminescence Excitation Density

AbstractThe near‐band‐edge emission of Sb2Se3 microcrystals is studied in detail under high photoluminescence excitation density using a pulsed UV laser (λ = 266 nm, pulse width 0.6 ns). Based on the peak energy positions and the excitation power density and temperature dependencies (T = 3–110 K) of the photoluminescence spectra, the emission is interpreted as a recombination of two pairs (A and B) of free excitons and biexcitons appearing because of valence band splitting. The magnitude of the valence band splitting due to the crystal field (Δcr = 20–22 meV) is estimated in the Brillouin zone center. At T = 3 K, the A and B biexciton emission at 1.302 and 1.322 eV, respectively, and the A and B free exciton emission at 1.311 and 1.333 eV, respectively, are observed. The binding energy of A and B biexcitons is 9 and 11 meV, respectively, and the binding energy of A free exciton is 6 meV. The activation energy of thermal quenching for all observed peaks is 20 meV.

About the modeling of light beam self-focusing in plasma at the irradiation of the target by power UV laser

The peculiarities of light beam expansion in plasma upon irradiation of condensed targets with a powerful UV laser pulse are studied with the help of mathematical modeling. Experiments were carried out at the Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences with the use of GARPUN installation: a powerful KrF laser that irradiated two-layer targets consisting of aluminum foil and a plexiglass layer. Channels stretched along the direction of incidence of the laser beam were found at the bottom of the crater. It was shown on the basis of experimental and calculated data that selffocusing of the laser beam developed in the plasma. As a result, hot spots were produced in vicinity of the plasma critical density, and fast (superthermal) electron flows were generated. The electron flows could produce the channels in the plexiglas. In order to describe the self-focusing effect a physicalmathematical model was developed, and “FOCUS” program was created at the Russian Technological University (MIREA). Numerical simulations were carried out on the gas-dynamic profiles (linear and exponential). It was shown that thermal self-focusing could develop at the conditions of “GARPUN” experiments (~ 1 mm longitudinal plasma, moderate radiation intensity: 1011–1012(W/cm2) × µm2). The parameters of dangerous modes of laser beam perturbations were estimated. The interest in the experimental and mathematical modelling results is related to the laser thermonuclear fusion (LTF) research. Although Nd glass lasers are the basic installations for LTF research, UV gas eximer lasers have some advantages as drivers for future thermonuclear fusion reactors. The interaction of UV laser radiation with plasma has some peculiarities. Thus, developing physical-mathematical models and creating new programs required for the interpretation of modern UV laser – plasma coupling experiments and for the design of large scale facilities based on eximer drivers is a topical problem.

Complex features of the photoluminescence from ZnO nanorods grown by vapor-phase transport method

We present photoluminescence (PL) studies of ZnO nanorods synthesized by high-temperature vapor-phase transport method under pulse laser excitation. The PL spectrum contains a strong near band edge (NBE) emission located at around 387 nm and no emission bands in the visible range were observed. Our studies show that an increase in power density of pulse UV laser results in appearance of a so-called P-band centered at 389 nm and it overlaps the NBE emission. The variations in excitation intensity and detection angles revealed that the band at 389 nm can be deconvoluted into Lorentzian components at ~382 and ~395 nm. Excitation intensity dependence of the band at 389 nm exhibits a clear threshold behavior while the intensity of the band at ~395 nm grows almost linearly with the increase in the excitation intensity. It is possible that the emission band at 395 nm is associated with emission centers caused by zinc vacancy defects or their complexes in ZnO nanorods.

Direct UV written waveguides and Bragg gratings in doped planar silica using a 213 nm laser

In this paper, the first demonstration of simultaneous UV written Bragg gratings and waveguides in germanium and boron‐doped planar silica is presented using a 5th harmonic solid‐state nanosecond laser operating at 213 nm wavelength. The fabrication of high‐quality gratings by using a high peak power density, yielding sufficient uniformity and without any surface damage is demonstrated. The photosensitivity of the doped silica layer is investigated by measuring the local effective refractive index of the optical modes. The written gratings are used to measure grating refractive index modulation, grating detuning bandwidth and the waveguide propagation loss with a minimum value of 0.28 ± 0.07 dB cm−1. This paper shows that this new generation of pulsed UV lasers is a promising alternative for conventional longer wavelength CW laser sources used in small spot direct grating writing in doped silica.

Laser Processing Optimization for Large-Area Perovskite Solar Modules

The industrial exploitation of perovskite solar cell technology is still hampered by the lack of repeatable and high-throughput fabrication processes for large-area modules. The joint efforts of the scientific community allowed to demonstrate high-performing small area solar cells; however, retaining such results over large area modules is not trivial. Indeed, the development of deposition methods over large substrates is required together with additional laser processes for the realization of the monolithically integrated cells and their interconnections. In this work, we develop an efficient perovskite solar module based on 2D material engineered structure by optimizing the laser ablation steps (namely P1, P2, P3) required for shaping the module layout in series connected sub-cells. We investigate the impact of the P2 and P3 laser processes, carried out by employing a UV pulsed laser (pulse width = 10 ns; λ = 355 nm), over the final module performance. In particular, a P2 process for removing 2D material-based cell stack from interconnection area among adjacent cells is optimized. Moreover, the impact of the P3 process used to isolate adjacent sub-cells after gold realization over the module performance once laminated in panel configuration is elucidated. The developed fabrication process ensures high-performance repeatability over a large module number by demonstrating the use of laser processing in industrial production.

Combined reactive plasma jet-laser etching method for technical optical glass containing metal oxides

The machining of optical glass materials with beam technologies enables novel fabrication processes for innovative optical elements with freeform surfaces. However, the complex material composition of optical glass such as N-BK7® is challenging for non-abrasive, pure chemical machining. N-BK7 can be machined utilizing reactive atmospheric plasma jet (RAPJ) etching. However, the etching mechanism results in process-inherent surface composition changes that limit potential applications of RAPJ-machining. A residues layer is formed which causes a temporally changing etching behavior and an increased roughness. Therefore, a process sequence of utilizing RAPJ etching and laser cleaning is proposed and demonstrated that enables to overcome the stated limitations. In this cyclic sequence, N-BK7 optical glass is etched first with a fluorine-containing reactive atmospheric plasma jet resulting in an etched but also residues-modified surface. Thereafter, the residues are removed by pulsed UV laser irradiation without ablation of the glass. This combined laser-enhanced reactive plasma jet etching allows etching of optical glass with a higher average etching rate and smoother machined surfaces.

High-resolution velocimetry technique based on the decaying streaks of phosphor particles.

This Letter introduces a new, to the best of our knowledge, particle streak velocimetry technique based on decaying streaks formed by individual phosphor particles following pulsed excitation. Tin-doped phosphor particles are dispersed into flows and excited by a pulsed UV laser light sheet. Emission streaks are recorded as a result of particle motion during the persistence of luminescence (here ∼27µs). The two components of the flow velocity are derived from the streaks without directional ambiguity by applying to each streak a two-dimensional fit describing a linearly moving point source with a mono-exponential decaying emission. This technique can achieve high spatial resolution compared to particle image velocimetry (PIV), while also requiring much fewer computational resources than particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) at high seeding densities. The wavelength-shifted luminescence also allows rejection of reflected laser light. The approach was validated in a free jet against simultaneous PTV and PIV and then successfully applied to measure a canonical boundary layer flow.