Matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation of polymeric materials: a molecular dynamics study

Matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) has been recently develope d to deposit high-quality thin films for a wide range of polymeric material s. To analyze the evaporation of polymer molecules in MAPLE, we present a m olecular dynamics (MD) simulation of laser ablation where the target materi al is modeled as a solution of polymer molecules in a molecular matrix. The breathing sphere model is used for MD simulations of laser ablation of the molecular matrix. Polymer molecules are described using a bead-spring mode l, where each bead represents one or several polymer groups. The initial st age of polymer ejection is investigated at different laser fluences and pul se durations. The influence of polymer molecules on the stability of cluste rs formed in the plume and the processes that can lead to polymer decomposi tion are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.