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Method for laser ablation threshold determination of solid state materials.

Country of Origin: Bulgaria
Reference Number: TOBG20170526001
Publication Date: 29 May 2017

Summary

A Bulgarian research team has invented and developed a new method for laser ablation threshold determination in solid materials. It is applicable in electronics, mechanical engineering, instrumentation and research, such as laser assisted thin films deposition, laser surfaces modification, laser material processing, laser-induced plasma spectroscopy and others. Businesses and organisations in these fields are sought for commercial agreements with technical assistance.

Description

Bulgarian institute’s research team invented a novel method for laser ablation threshold determination of solid materials which has a wide area of application in electronics (laser-assisted thin films deposition), mechanical engineering and instrumentation (laser material processing and laser surfaces modification), research (laser-induced plasma spectroscopy) and others.



The laser ablation threshold is a crucial parameter in a number of fields concerning laser-matter interaction – microelectronics, development of novel micro- and nanomaterials, nanophysics, optical coatings fabrication, etc. Good knowledge of the laser ablation threshold allows for efficient optimization of the spatial resolution and the modifications induced in the material.



The method allows precise determination of the energy necessary for the start of laser ablation in a particular application concerning the interaction of laser light with solid surfaces. According to the method, illumination of solid state surface with laser light caused generation of photo-induced electric signals with different amplitude and shape depending on the laser power.



When the laser beam power is below the threshold of ablation, there is no destruction of the solid surface and the fast relaxing signal is registered. With increasing the laser power and reaching the ablation threshold, destruction of solid-state surface begins and formation of craters is observed and simultaneously, a jump-like change in the shape of the photoelectric signal is registered. 



This change is manifested as broadening of the photoelectric signal and the appearance of the second component with opposite polarity. Thus, by changing the power of the laser illumination and the simultaneous recording of the induced photoelectric signal the ablation threshold energy could be determined. The researchers are sought for commercial agreement with technical assistance - an agreement arranging the acquisition of a technology paired with the provision of a number of services in support of, or essential to, a transfer of technology.

Advantages and Innovations

The threshold energy is very easy to determine by changing the power of the laser illumination and the simultaneous recording of the induced photoelectric signal. 

Comparing to the existing methods for ablation and liquid crystals this method is very easy to implement.

The advantages of the developed method to other techniques are the opportunity for online registration of laser ablation (without the need for additional measurements) and the rather inexpensive equipment needed for the experimental setup.

Stage Of Development

Available for demonstration

Requested partner

Research team is looking for industrial partner to share the ownership of the patent application during the review process and to develop industrial device for different applications in electronics, mechanical engineering, instrumentation and research. T 

Such interesting technological applications for the market would be laser assisted thin films deposition, laser surfaces modification, laser material processing, laser-induced plasma spectroscopy and others.