TEMPERATURE CALCULATION FOR LASER IRRADIATION OF SOL-GEL FILMS ON OXIDE SUBSTRATES

A model for estimating the temperature rise in a laser-irradiated oxid e target is developed and applied to laser-firing of sol-gel films on oxide substrates. The model incorporates a continuous-wave (CW) Gaussi an laser beam translated across a sol-gel film on a semi-infinite subs trate. Heat effects due to phase changes are assumed to be absent. In addition, the laser energy is assumed to be absorbed primarily in the substrate material (since many sol-gel films are much thinner than the absorption depth of typical laser wavelengths). The model also takes into account the temperature dependence of the thermal properties of t he substrate. The predictions from the model are compared to experimen tal data from various laser firing experiments. The temperatures predi cted by the model are shown to agree well with experimental results.