Abstract

Irradiation of a KrF excimer laser beam of nanosecond pulse duration on an absorbing solid surface immersed in a transparent liquid induces rapid thermal expansion and explosive vaporization of the liquid accompanied by pressure pulse generation |1| The temperature evolution, pressure pulse generation, and bubble nucleation and growth dynamics in this rapid vaporization process are studied experimentally by the photothermal reflectance, photoacoustic beam deflection, and optical interference techniques, respectively. Optical reflectance and light scattering measurements are also performed to detect the bubble growth kinetics.

© 1996 IEEE