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 1064n m, pulse duration of ii ns and fluence up to 1.5Jcm(-1) on paper is reporte d. Results of diffuse reflectance FTIR spectroscopy show no discernible differ ence in the regions around 1730 cm(-1) indicating that change in content of acidic or carbonyl groups during laser treatment under described condition s is below threshold sensitivity of the method. However, positive absorptio n bands as a result of laser treatment may be ascribed to C-O and C-O-C vib rations, suggesting the formation of intra- and intermolccular ether bonds. Results of DP are in accordance with DRIFT spectroscopy, as the crosslinki ng of cellulose during the treatment results in an increase of DP of cellul ose.