Evidence of volume bubble creation during laser ablation of PMMA organic polymer

We present results related to the PMMA organic polymer laser ablation for s everal values of the energy flux of the XeCl laser. These results seem to s upport the model of volume superheating, which is associated with bubble cr eation, bubble association, and subsequent burst. It is shown that the lase r ablation mode correlates well with the generated acoustic wave and the no ise imposed on it that is detected by a sensitive pressure transducer locat ed in the back of the sample.