Thermal mechanisms of laser marking in transparent polymers with light-absorbing microparticles

摘要

Interaction of highly viscous polystyrene suspensions of light-absorbing microparticles with pulsed radiation of a Q-switched YAG:Nd3+ laser is investigated. Absorption of laser radiation by the suspended microparticles causes thermal decomposition (pyrolysis) of the polymer in the vicinity of the overheated particles. Laser-induced incandescence (LII) of light-absorbing microparticles under irradiation by a sequence of laser pulses is observed. The mechanism of laser marking includes formation of light-absorbing and scattering centers by accumulation of carbonaceous and gaseous products of pyrolysis. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.