Thermal effects on laser-ablated particle velocities from thin film targets

The thermal history of the target surface on the plume dynamics was studied by high-speed streak photography. A thin aluminum layer was deposited on a thick substrate material. By choosing substrate materials with different thermal conductivity, it is possible to control the heat flux inside the target material, which in turn controls the particle ejection process. In all the experimental conditions tested, the plume was found to have two different velocity clouds. By a series of experiments with different substrate materials, their velocities were shown to depend on the substrate material. The heat conduction equation was solved to simulate the temperature history of the target materials. The result was discussed with those from streak photography and burn patterns, showing an appreciable dependence on the heat conductivity of the material.