Thermoplastic deformation of silicon surfaces induced by ultrashort pulsed lasers in submelting conditions

A hybrid 2D theoretical model is presented to describe thermoplastic deformation effects on silicon surfaces induced by single and multiple ultrashort pulsed laser irradiation in submelting conditions. An approximation of the Boltzmann transport equation is adopted to describe the laser irradiation process. The evolution of the induced deformation field is described initially by adopting the differential equations of dynamic thermoelasticity while the onset of plastic yielding is described by the von Mise's stress. Details of the resulting picometre sized crater, produced by irradiation with a single pulse, are then discussed as a function of the imposed conditions and thresholds for the onset of plasticity are computed. Irradiation with multiple pulses leads to ripple formation of nanometre size that originates from the interference of the incident and a surface scattered wave. It is suggested that ultrafast laser induced surface modification in semiconductors is feasible in submelting conditions, and it may act as a precursor of the incubation effects observed at multiple pulse irradiation of materials surfaces.Comment: To appear in the Journal of Applied Physic

Suppression of ablation in femtosecond double pulse experiments

We report the physical reasons of a curious decrease in the crater depth observed for long delays in experiments with femtosecond double pulses. Detailed hydrodynamic modeling demonstrates that the ablation mechanism is dumped when the delay between the pulses exceeds the electron-ion relaxation time. In this case, the interaction of the second laser pulse with the expanding target material leads to the formation of the second shock wave suppressing the rarefaction wave created by the first pulse. The evidence of this effect follows from the pressure and density profiles obtained at different delays after the first laser pulse.Comment: Submitted to one of the APS Journal

Structure and Morphology Effects on the Optical Properties of Bimetallic Nanoparticle Films Laser Deposited on a Glass Substrate

Moving nanosecond laser system is used for laser-assisted thermodiffusion deposition of metallic nanoparticles from water-based colloidal solutions. The results obtained for both gold and silver nanoparticles show that film morphology strongly depends on laser scanning speed and the number of passages. We show, furthermore, the possibility of producing bimetallic Au:Ag thin films by laser irradiation of the mixed solutions. As a result of several laser scans, granular nanometric films are found to grow with a well-controlled composition, thickness, and morphology. By changing laser scanning parameters, film morphology can be varied from island structures to quasi-periodic arrays. The optical properties of the deposited structures are found to depend on the film composition, thickness, and mean separation between the particles. The transparency spectra of the deposited films are shown to be defined by their morphology

Invited Article: Filamentary deposition of laser energy in glasses with Bessel beams

We investigate the nonlinear absorption of laser energy in the bulk of transparent dielectrics for femtosecond and picosecond laser pulses focused by a conical lens. We highlight the influence of the pulse duration, laser pulse energy, and cone angle on laser energy absorption in transparent dielectrics. We provide a semi-analytical model allowing the calculation of maps for the density of nonlinear absorption of energy in BK7 and in SiO2 as a function of the pulse duration and peak fluence in the focal region. The comparison of the density of nonlinear absorption of energy with the available energy density determines optimal pulse durations and Bessel beam cone angles compatible with uniform laser energy deposition in the Bessel zone. The results reproduce quantitatively the transmission measurements for experiments in BK7 with picosecond pulses and suggest that the loss of propagation invariance and uniform laser energy deposition is responsible for a previously reported transition between different types of damage morphology in SiO2 [M. K. Bhuyan et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 104, 021107 (2014)].We investigate the nonlinear absorption of laser energy in the bulk of transparent dielectrics for femtosecond and picosecond laser pulses focused by a conical lens. We highlight the influence of the pulse duration, laser pulse energy, and cone angle on laser energy absorption in transparent dielectrics. We provide a semi-analytical model allowing the calculation of maps for the density of nonlinear absorption of energy in BK7 and in SiO2 as a function of the pulse duration and peak fluence in the focal region. The comparison of the density of nonlinear absorption of energy with the available energy density determines optimal pulse durations and Bessel beam cone angles compatible with uniform laser energy deposition in the Bessel zone. The results reproduce quantitatively the transmission measurements for experiments in BK7 with picosecond pulses and suggest that the loss of propagation invariance and uniform laser energy deposition is responsible for a previously reported transition between different typ..

Transient optical response of ultrafast nonequilibrium excited metals: Effects of electron-electron contribution to collisional absorption

Approaching energy coupling in laser-irradiated metals, we point out the role of electron-electron collision as an efficient control factor for ultrafast optical absorption. The high degree of laser-induced electron-ion nonequilibrium drives a complex absorption pattern with consequences on the transient optical properties. Consequently, high electronic temperatures determine largely the collision frequency and establish a transition between absorptive regimes in solid and plasma phases. In particular, taking into account umklapp electron-electron collisions, we performed hydrodynamic simulations of the laser-matter interaction to calculate laser energy deposition during the electron-ion nonequilibrium stage and subsequent matter transformation phases. We observe strong correlations between optical and thermodynamic properties according to the experimental situations. A suitable connection between solid and plasma regimes is chosen in accordance with models that describe the behavior in extreme, asymptotic regimes. The proposed approach describes as well situations encountered in pump-probe types of experiments, where the state of matter is probed after initial excitation. Comparison with experimental measurements shows simulation results which are sufficiently accurate to interpret the observed material behavior. A numerical probe is proposed to analyze the transient optical properties of matter exposed to ultrashort pulsed laser irradiation at moderate and high intensities. Various thermodynamic states are assigned to the observed optical variation. Qualitative indications of the amount of energy coupled in the irradiated targets are obtained. Keywords: ultrafast absorption ; umklapp electron-electron collision ; collisional absorption ; laser-matter interactio

Nanofabrication with Pulsed Lasers

An overview of pulsed laser-assisted methods for nanofabrication, which are currently developed in our Institute (LP3), is presented. The methods compass a variety of possibilities for material nanostructuring offered by laser–matter interactions and imply either the nanostructuring of the laser-illuminated surface itself, as in cases of direct laser ablation or laser plasma-assisted treatment of semiconductors to form light-absorbing and light-emitting nano-architectures, as well as periodic nanoarrays, or laser-assisted production of nanoclusters and their controlled growth in gaseous or liquid medium to form nanostructured films or colloidal nanoparticles. Nanomaterials synthesized by laser-assisted methods have a variety of unique properties, not reproducible by any other route, and are of importance for photovoltaics, optoelectronics, biological sensing, imaging and therapeutics

Numerical simulation of laser interactions with surfaces and nanoparticles: Numerical simulation of laser interactions with surfacesand nanoparticles

International audienceLaser interactions with surfaces and nanoparticles are widely used in numerous fields such as material analysis, nanoparticle formation, 3D laser manufacturing, surface and cancer treatment, etc. Lasers are also promising for tailoring the properties of nano-objects and, in particular, for the synthesis of alloys, core shells, or more complex multi-material nano-objects. Short and ultrashort pulsed laser interactionsinvolve, furthermore, a set of non-linear electronic and ionic processes, phase transitions, mechanical effects, chemical reactions, etc. In addition, when nanoparticles are considered, aggregation, coalescence, or fragmentation play a role thus strongly affecting the optical properties of the resulting materials. In this talk, attention will be focused on multi-scale simulations relying on an interplay between many involved effects. Particularly, combined models were developed to account for laser propagation, energy absorption, local field enhancement, photo-induced free carrier generation, heat transfer, shock wave propagation,and phase transitions. Additionally, recent results of all-atomistic molecular dynamics simulations will be presented. The role of laser parameters and target materials are analyzed. Finally, the main conclusions and perspectives will be presented.Les interactions laser avec les surfaces et les nanoparticules sont largement utilisées dans de nombreux domaines tels que les matériauxanalyse, formation de nanoparticules, fabrication de laser 3D, traitement de surface et de cancer, etc. Les lasers sontégalement prometteur pour l'adaptation des propriétés des nano-objets et, en particulier, pour la synthèse d'alliages,core shells, ou des nano-objets multi-matériaux plus complexes. Interactions laser pulsées courtes et ultracourtesimpliquent, en outre, un ensemble de processus électroniques et ioniques non linéaires, des transitions de phase, deseffets, réactions chimiques, etc. De plus, lorsque l'on considère les nanoparticules, l'agrégation, la coalescence,ou la fragmentation jouent un rôle affectant ainsi fortement les propriétés optiques des matériaux résultants. Dans ceparler, l'attention se portera sur des simulations multi-échelles reposant sur une interaction entre de nombreux acteurseffets. En particulier, des modèles combinés ont été développés pour tenir compte de la propagation du laser, de l'absorption d'énergie,amélioration du champ local, génération de porteurs libres photo-induits, transfert de chaleur, propagation des ondes de choc,et les transitions de phase. De plus, les résultats récents de simulations de dynamique moléculaire entièrement atomistiques serontprésenté. Le rôle des paramètres laser et des matériaux cibles est analysé. Enfin, les principales conclusions et des perspectives seront présentées