Laser-induced jet formation and droplet ejection from thin metal films

An experimental study of femtosecond laser-induced jet formation and droplet ejection from thin metal films is presented. These processes are compared to liquid jet formation during laser-induced forward transfer of viscous liquids. As a result of this comparison, a mechanism explaining the main features of laser processing of thin metal films is proposed. According to this mechanism, laser-induced generation of a molten bump and its collapse are similar to the collapse of cavitation bubbles on a liquid-air interface. Material criteria required for realization of the jetting process are discussed and supported by experimental observations.