Analysis and experimental study of one-photon incubated absorption in polymers

Incubated absorption and ablation in polypropylene irradiated with the 193 nm ArF laser has been investigated using laser transmission, probe beam deflection, UV and FTIR transmission measurements and scanning electron microscopy, extending earlier work on low density polyethylene (LDPE). An analytical model of radiation transport which includes one-photon incubated absorption provides a good description of the transmission results. Incubated absorption in polypropylene and LDPE probably arises through the growth of unsaturated species and plays an important role in controlling their ablation characteristics.