Two-phase mechanism of laser-induced removal of thin absorbing films. II. Experiment

Abstract

For pt.I, see ibid., vol.13, p.1565 (1980). A qualitative and quantitative experimental investigation of laser-induced removal of thin absorbing films has been carried out. The experimental results are compared with the corresponding theoretical investigations, made on the basis of the two-phase removal model. The two-phase model has been successful in explaining all the previously observed removal mechanisms. The quantitative experimental investigation of the removal process confirms the basic conclusions of the two-phase model. The good agreement between experimental and theoretical results shows that the latter may be used for finding the optimum conditions for laser machining of thin films.