Laser Ablation in the Regime of Thermal Confinement

Animated sequence of snapshots from a large-scale three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulation of laser ablation

Laser pulse duration is 150 ps, penetration depth is 50 nm, fluence is just above the threshold for the onset of ablation

Animated GIF Image

This animation shows the dynamics of a material ejection in the regime of thermal confinement at laser fluence close to the threshold for the onset of ablation. A detailed discussion of the physical mechanisms leading to the material ejection and the parameters of the ejection process is given in [ L. V. Zhigilei and B. J. Garrison, Microscopic Mechanisms of Laser Ablation of Organic Solids in the Thermal and Stress Confinement Irradiation Regimes, J. Appl. Phys. 88, 1281-1298 (2000), Abstract, Full Text: PDF (800 kB) ].

To see animated snapshots from a simulation with the same pulse duration but at higher laser fluence click here.

To see animated snapshots from a simulation at laser fluence close to the threshold for the onset of ablation with ten times shorter laser pulse, in the regime of stress confinement, click here.

Animated sequence of snapshots from a large-scale three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulation of laser ablation

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