Abstract
A high-power ultrafast laser spectrometer with image acquisition capability, the "picosecond microscope" is used to study optical surface damage processes in a transparent polymer, polymethyl methacrylate. Optical damage is a fast, violent, inhomogeneous solid-state chemical reaction. We observe three distinct fast processes: creation and growth of a dark absorbing damage volume, the "damage core," creation and propagation of a hypersonic shock wave in the surrounding atmosphere, and creation of large amplitude acoustic waves which propagate outward from the core at the velocity of sound.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2955-2958 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of Applied Physics |
Volume | 64 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1988 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)