Basic processes of pulsed laser materials interaction. Applications to laser cleaning of oxidized surfaces

Investigation of the basic mechanisms taking place during pulsed laser cleaning of oxidized surfaces was carried out using different laser parameters in terms of wavelength, pulse duration and energy density. Working parameters were optimized for a reliable cleaning strategy comprising the total removal of the oxide layer, the minimization of laser effects onto the bulk and the beneficial laser effects onto the underlying base metal. The influence of the laser irradiation on the sample and on the resulting mechanisms was investigated by in-situ real-time mass losses measurements and by post scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. Two types of oxide layers were studied; the first one, transparent to the wavelength and the other one, absorbent to lambda.