Nanoparticles formed in picosecond laser argon crystal interaction

In this work, Molecular Dynamics simulations are conducted to attain thermal and mechanical characteristics of nanoparticles formed in laser materials interaction. It reveals that nanoparticles originate from intense vapor phase explosion. A gas-like structure is observed in nanoparticles in the initial stage of formation. After a short time of evolution, a typical liquid structure is revealed in particles. As a direct consequence of atoms escaping from the particle surface, the temperature of nanoparticles reduces to an under-cooling point from the initial super-heating state. Furthermore, it indicates that movements of nanoparticles are dominated by those normal to the target surface.