Visualization of surface transformations during laser ablation of solids by femtosecond pump-probe time-resolved microscopy

摘要

A femtosecond time-resolved microscope (fs-TRM) based on pump-probe excitation has been used to follow the dynamic of the processes occurring during laser-matter interaction, from initial surface alterations to final solidification through transient melting. The time-resolved microscope described in the manuscript has been designed to allow a precise control of the excitation beam to cover ranges below and above the plasma formation energy, and a large temporal variation in the pump-probe delay to include the different timescales of the different processes occurring up to the plasma formation. The microscope has been demonstrated to be robust and allows the subpicosecond monitoring of laser ablation single-shot events, of importance in the analysis of ultra thin layers, or biological tissues.