The effect of Nd:YAG laser radiation at 1064 nm on paper

Immediate as well as long term effects of Ng:YAG laser irradiation at 1064nm, pulse duration of ii ns and fluence up to 1.5Jcm(-1) on paper is reported. Results of diffuse reflectance FTIR spectroscopy show no discernible difference in the regions around 1730 cm(-1) indicating that change in content of acidic or carbonyl groups during laser treatment under described conditions is below threshold sensitivity of the method. However, positive absorption bands as a result of laser treatment may be ascribed to C-O and C-O-C vibrations, suggesting the formation of intra- and intermolccular ether bonds. Results of DP are in accordance with DRIFT spectroscopy, as the crosslinking of cellulose during the treatment results in an increase of DP of cellulose.