IR laser-induced metal ablation and dielectric breakdown in benzene

IR laser-induced irradiation of Co and Ni sheets leads to metal ablation and when carried out in gaseous benzene (1–10 Torr) to dielectric breakdown which is accompanied by metal plasma and deposition of nanostructured carbon. The metal plasma (metal atoms and ions) as well as transients of benzene decomposition (neutral and ionic carbon and C2 species) were detected by optical emission spectra. Different features of carbon deposited at benzene pressure 5–10 Torr on a distant glass and on the irradiated metal sheets were revealed by FTIR, Auger and Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy and explained by surface assisted carbonization. The reported process suggests a novel approach to gas-phase carbonization of organic molecules.