Time-resolved dynamics analysis of nanoparticles applying dual femtosecond laser pulses

The evolution of a fs laser generated plume on copper was studied by dual laser pulses. The plume generated by the first pulse (620 nm) was excited by the second, delayed pulse (310 nm). The actual state of the plume was monitored by detecting the intensities of the emitted light and the reflected delayed pulse from the interaction range, i.e. 0-150 mu m above the surface. Four peaks were observed in the 0-1400 ps time range and assigned to appearance of electrons, ions, atomic species and nanoparticles. Accordingly, the timing of the creation and ejection of these species was determined. By integrating the intensity of the nanoparticle peak, the production yield of the nanoparticles and its dependence on the ablating laser fluence was calculated. The ablation products were deposited on a Si substrate, too, and analyzed by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of the deposition and the dual-pulse experiments are in good agreement with the theory.