Observation and characterization of quasi-continuous wave kW-class laser interaction with metal and metal oxide targets using a high-speed camera and microscopes

Characterization of kW class quasi-continuous wave (a pulse duration of 10 ms) laser interaction with metal targets and those with metal oxide targets are presented in respect to the laser induced breakdown and the successive laser induced melting and evaporation coupled with a mechanical response followed by ejection of various kinds of particles and fragments. An experiment was performed using 0.3-5 kW fiber lasers coupled with a high-speed camera to observe dynamics of the interaction. Ejected fine particles with mu m diameters and particles with > a few mu m diameters were collected using a cascade impactor and a home-made collector, respectively and these were observed with electron microscopes. Shapes of irradiation marks were observed with a digital optical microscope. We also measured total ejected mass from a target. The experimental results reveal that firstly the laser threshold intensity of the interaction with the metal target was lower and more stable than those with the metal oxide targets. Secondly, in the stainless steel targets, the dynamics of molten layer created by thermal conduction from the laser heated thin layer and successive particle ejection with less mechanical response by the adjacent solid layer are dominant processes, while in the metal oxide targets, the fracturing in the relatively deeper interaction region coupled with brittle material response having relatively large laser shot to shot fluctuation appears to play a significant role in addition to the laser induced melting.