Laser Ablation of Barium Titanate Ceramics Prepared by the Citric Route: The Evolution of Residual Carbon Content

摘要

The laser-induced ablation mechanism of BaTiO_3 ceramics has been followed by SEM and EPMA analyses. The evolution of the residual carbon content has been studied by ~(12)C(d,p)~(13)C nuclear technique under a 10~(-9) mbar vacuum with laser powers below and above the ablation threshold. The residual carbon remains constant for laser powers below the ablation threshold and is ejected from the crater formed and partly deposited around it when ablation occurs. Immediately after the end of laser ablation, the residual carbon diffuses from the bulk to the surface of the ceramic, leading to high C concentrations in the whole ceramic surface layer. The chemical form of carbon and its mobility in such ceramics are discussed.