Numerical Modeling of Laser Ablation of Polymers and Metals by Nanosecond Pulses of Infrared Radiation

Abstract

In the paper a comparative analysis has been carried out of pulsed laser ablation of polymers and metals. On the basis of a thermal model with the mobile boundary «vapor – target surface», numerical modeling of laser ablation of poly(methyl methacrylate) and copper by nanosecond CO2 laser pulses (at wavelength of 10.6 nm) has been performed for different initial temperatures of the irradiated samples. Conclusions are drawn on differences in heating and ablation dynamics of polymer and metallic materials, values of subsurface superheating, and initial temperature effects on the vaporization process and ablation depth.