The study of polymer-laser radiation interactions in controlled atmosphere. Laser ablation nanostructured thin films layers. Applications

Members:

1. Assoc. Prof. PhD. Eng, Gurlui Silviu, Manager Project, Faculty of Physics, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi  
2. Prof. PhD. Focsa Cristian, University of Science and Technology of Lille 1, France  
3. Assoc. Prof. PhD. Eng, Dimitriu Dan Gheorghe, Faculty of Physics, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi  
4. Assoc. Prof. PhD. Osiac Mariana, Faculty of Physics, University of Craiova;  
5. Assist. PhD. Eng. Dascalu (Bulai) Georgiana, Faculty of Physics, “ Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi  
6. Assist. PhD. Eng. Cimpoesu Nicanor , Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering "Gh. Asachi" Technical University from Iasi  
7. PhD. Mihaila Ilarion, Faculty of Physics, Faculty of Physics, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi  

Scientific overview. The laser polymer ablation mechanism is a complex interrelated system where the photochemical and phototermal reactions are very important. Photochemical decomposition is intrinsically capable of higher spatial resolution because thermal damage to the surrounding material is minimal and explains many futures of laser ablation, especially in the low fluence range. A study concerning the surface structuring capacity of the polymers showed that the irradiation conditions significantly influence the surface geometry of the polymers. For example, the photo-sensitivity of the polymers that contain diazo-benzene groups is of basic importance not only as a model of structure for studies concerning the energy absorption or as investigation source in self-organized systems, but also as photo-sensitive materials for the realization of devices with various applications in nanotechnologies. Surface irradiation was carried out under the action of an optical radiation field with a controlled distribution represented by an interference pattern of electromagnetic radiation beams. The explanation of the surface patterning in azo-polymer materials as on optical -mechanical effect is quite true it take into account the well known concept of the self- structuring and self-organizing phenomena [ G. Strat, M. Strat, S. Gurlui, C. Focsa, D. Dimitriu, Self organization in nanomaterials, Ed. INOE, 5, 53 (2007); Stephen J. Blundell, Katherine M. Blundell Concepts in Thermal Physics. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0198567707. (2008) ] . The creation of multi-functional materials directed toward various applications imposes an inter-disciplinary approach of the phenomena governing their properties, by getting together the knowledge from the fields of physics, chemistry and material science as modern working instruments. The theme approach is justified by the fact that the super-molecular ensembles have well-defined characteristics, offering an alternative in the preparation of novel materials, with specific properties in various applications [T. Takata, N. Kihara, Y. Furusho, Adv Polym Sci,; 171 (2004); F. Huang, H.W. Gibson, Progr. in Polym.Sci., 30(10), 982 (2005)].  The self-assemblage of molecules offers unique opportunities for applications in high performance fields, such as laser direct patterning (LDP), fuel in the micro laser plasma ablation propulsion thruster (μALPT), biocompatible metal-doped polymers, de-pollution and mass transfer or catalysis [A. Harada, Acta Polymerica, 49, 3 (1998)]. The macroscopic properties of the assemblies are the result of the combination between the molecular structure and macroscopic organization in diverse conditions of temperature and environment.

General objectives 

• To increase the knowledge in an inter-disciplinary, up to date field, promote and design polymers that contain photochemically active groups;   
• Raise the standards of the inter-disciplinary basic research, through the co-operation of a critical mass of researchers from different research centres and high education institutes;  
• Efficiently exploit the resources existing at our partners;  
• Improve the performances of the research staff at a national/international level, to integrate young researchers in the project team;   
• Provide a specialization of researchers through training stages, prestigious high education institutes;   
• Increase the partners’ visibility at a national and international level, by disseminating the project results to the scientific and economical community, as well as to an extended public.   
• Provide a co-operation and a long-term utilization of the obtained results much beyond the project period.  

In order to arise of the main aplications metionated above especialy to implement novel fuel micro laser plasma ablation thruster for satellite propulsion (μALPT) based on new photopolymer, both several chemical and physical properties but also fundamental aspects must be highly take into account as following

Specific project objectives

• Analysis of the processes which determine the formation of nano-structures in polymer thin films based on polymers which have diazo-benzene, stilbene, pyrene, cumarine and base Schiff groups in the polymer chain structure;  
• Studies of the influence of certain external factors on the emission quantum yield of polymer nano-structures (vacuum, atmosphere working buffer or mixture spectral gases, laser (ex: cw, ns, ps or fs) type regime, laser fluence or wavelength), the influence of both the laser-induced surface polymer deformation and laser-surface polymer relief grating formation (SRG);  
• Obtaining and monitoring of laser ablation thin photopolymer layer and metal-doped thin photopolymer layer. Laser ablation polymer plasma plume characterisation by means of complementary diagnosis tools: space and time resolved optical emission spectroscopy, fast ICCD image plasma plume, laser induce fluorescence (LIF), particle image velocimetry (PIV), time-resolved shadowgraphy & interferometry and Langmuir probe electrical plasma diagnosis.  

The research will take into account the following aspects:

• Contribution of the photochromic effect in the appearance of the self-organization phenomenon. Rendering evident the appeared nano-structures.  
• Explaining the phenomenon of self-organized structures based on the existing theories of the forces of intermolecular interactions. Appreciation of the contribution of intermolecular forces of dispersion and induction.   
• Correlation of the conditions of the appearance of self-organization phenomenon in polymer solutions and films, with the threshold values (ultimate stress) imposed by the general theory of the self-organization phenomenon.   
• Rendering evident the formation of polymer nano-structures by means of electron spectroscopy of absorption and emission.   
• Analysis of polymer films surfaces my means of atomic force microscopy method  
• Studies the influence of some external factors on the structure of polymer and metal-polymer PLD deposed aggregates, using the FT-IR spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy & Microanalysis, X-ray diffraction techniques‎ (XRD).    

Results (may be downloaded both in romanian and english, as following):

• phase 1: RO / EN  
• phase 2: RO / EN 
• phase 3: RO / EN 
• phase 4: RO / EN 
• phase 5: RO / EN 
• phase 6: RO / EN 

ISI papers: 

1. C. Focsa, S. Gurlui, S. Pellerin, N. Pellerin, D.Pagnon, M. Dudeck, L. Balika, Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in a running Hall effect thruster for space propulsion, Spectrochimica Acta - Part B Atomic Spectroscopy, 74-75 pp. 184 - 189, (2012).   
2. P. Nica, M. Agop, S. Gurlui, C. Bejinariu, C. Focsa, Characterization of Aluminum Laser Produced Plasma by Target Current Measurements, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 51, 106102 (2012).  
3. M. Agop, P. Nica, O. Niculescu, D. G. Dimitriu, Experimental and theoretical investigations of the negative differential resistance in a discharge plasma, J. Phys. Soc. Japan 81, 064502 (2012). 
4. S. Gurlui, D. G. Dimitriu, N. Cimpoesu, E. Buruiana and M. Strat, Photo-(physical and chemical) properties of polyurethane coumarin in polar solvents and thin films state, Submitted at European Polymer Journal, 2012.  
5. G. Dascalu, G. Pompilian, B. Chazallon, O. F. Caltun, S. Gurlui, C. Focsa, Femtosecond pulsed laser deposition of cobalt ferrite thin films, Applied Surface Science, Volume 278, p. 38-42 (2013).  
6. S. Gurlui, G. O. Pompilian, P. Nemec, V. Nazabal, M. Ziskind, C. Focsa, Plasma Diagnostics in Pulsed Laser Deposition of GaLaS Chalcogenides, Appl. Surf. Science, 278, p. 352-356 (2013).   
7.   D. G. Dimitriu, M. Aflori, L. M. Ivan, V. Radu, E. Poll, M. Agop, Experimental and theoretical investigations of plasma multiple double layers and their evolution to chaos, Plasma Sources Sci. Technology, 22, 035007 (2013).  
8. P. Nica, S. Gurlui, M. Osiac, M. Agop, C. Focsa, Electrical Characterization of Femtosecond Laser-Produced Plasma from Various Metallic Targets, in review.  
9. S. Gurlui, E. Buriana, Photo-responsive behavior of novel polyurethane coumarins, Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, in review. 
10. G. Bulai, S. Gurlui, O. F. Caltun, C. Focsa, Pure and rare earth doped cobalt ferrite laser ablation: space and time resolved optical emission spectroscopy, Digest Journal of Nanomaterials and Biostructures Vol. 10, No. 3, July - September 2015, p. 1043 – 105. 
11. D. G. Dimitriu, S.A. Irimiciuc, S. Popescu, M. Agop, C. Ionita and R.W. Schrittwieser, On the interaction between two fireballs in low-temperature plasma, Physics of Plasmas 22, 113511 (2015). 
12. R. W. Schrittwieser, C. Ionita, C. T. Teodorescu-Soare, O. Vasilovici, S. Gurlui, S. A. Irimiciuc, D. G. Dimitriu – Spectral and electrical diagnosis of a complex space-charge configuration inside and around a spherical grid with hole, Physica Scripta, in review.   

BDI papers:

1. D. G. Dimitriu, M. Aflori, L. M. Ivan, E. Poll, M. Agop – Transition to chaos through sub-harmonic bifurcations in plasma. I. Experiment, Bulletin of the Polytechnic Institute of Iasi, section Mathematics. Theoretical Mechanics. Physics, Vol. 58, No. 4, 2012, pp.: 29-35.  
2. M. Agop, E. Poll, D. G. Dimitriu, M. Aflori, L. M. Ivan - Transition to chaos through sub-harmonic bifurcations in plasma. II. Fractal hydrodynamics, Bulletin of the Polytechnic Institute of Iasi, section Mathematics. Theoretical Mechanics. Physics, Vol. 58, No. 4, 2012, pp.: 37-55.  
3. E. Poll, M. Agop, D. G. Dimitriu, M. Aflori, L. M. Ivan - Transition to chaos through sub-harmonic bifurcations in plasma. III. Theoretical modeling, Bulletin of the Polytechnic Institute of Iasi, section Mathematics. Theoretical Mechanics. Physics, Vol. 58, No. 4, 2012, pp.: 57-70. 

Invited:  

1. R. Cimpoesu, O. Pompilian, N. Cimpoeşu, D. Ghe. Dimitriu, S. Gurlui, and C. Focsa, UV-pulsed laser deposition of polymer thin films: fundaments and applications, Physics Conference TIM – 11, 24 - 27 November 2011, Timisoara, Romania, (poster presention).      
2. S. Gurlui, I. Lihtetchi, V. Hurduc, D. Ghe. Dimitriu, and M. Strat, Nanostructured polymer surfaces and nanoagregates of some diazobenzene polymers in film sate, Physics Conference TIM – 11, 24 - 27 November 2011, Timisoara, Romania, (poster presention).    
3. L. Balika, C. Focsa, S. Gurlui, S. Pellerin, N. Pellerin, D. Pagnon and M. Dudeck, Laser Ablation in a Hall Effect Thruster for Space Propulsion, E-MRS Spring 2012 - Symposium V, 2012.    
4. G. Dascalu, G. Pompilian, B. Chazallon, V. Nica, O. F. Caltun, S. Gurlui, C. Focsa, Rare earth doped cobalt ferrite thin films deposited by PLD, E-MRS Spring 2012 - Symposium V, 2012.    
5. S. Gurlui, G. O. Pompilian, P. Nemec, V. Nazabal, M. Ziskind, C. Focsa, Plasma Diagnostics in Pulsed Laser Deposition of GaLaS Chalcogenides, E-MRS Spring 2012 - Symposium V, 2012.    
6. R. Cimpoesu, S. Gurlui, O. Pompilian, M. Lohan, N. Cimpoesu, C. Focsa, Thermo-elastic solicitation of a shape memory alloy enhanced with thin polymer films through pulsed laser deposition technique, 8th BPU, The 8th General Conference of Balkan Physical Union, 5-7 July 2012.    
7. S. Gurlui, D. Dimitriu, M. Strat, Optical and Spectral Properties of Polyurethane Coumarine. Self-organization phenomena induces nanoagregate formations, 8th BPU, The 8th General Conference of Balkan Physical Union, 5-7 July 2012.    
8. S. Gurlui, N. Cimpoesu, M. Strat, Selforganization phenomena in polyurethane coumarine film. The study of formation of nanoagregates by means of AFM and SEM methods, 8th BPU, The 8th General Conference of Balkan Physical Union, 5-7 July 2012.    
9. M. Agop, D. G. Dimitriu, S. Gurlui, Negative Differential Resistance of the Discharge Plasma through Fractal Space-Time Theory, Proceedings, 5th Chaotic Modeling and Simulation International Conference, 12 – 15 June 2012, Athens Greece Proceedings, 5th Chaotic Modeling and Simulation International Conference.    
10. M. Agop, D. G. Dimitriu, S. Gurlui, Modeling of a Scenario of Transition to Chaos in Plasma through Sub-harmonic Bifurcatio, 5th Chaotic Modeling and Simulation International Conference, 12 – 15 June 2012, Athens Greece Proceedings, 5th Chaotic Modeling and Simulation International Conference.    
11. O. G. Pompilian, G. Dascalu, I. Mihaila, S. Gurlui, M. Olivier, P. Nemec, V. Nazabal, N. Cimpoesu, C. Focsa, Pulsed Laser Deposition of Gallium Lanthanum Sulphide Chalcogenide Thin Films, 12th International Conference on Laser Ablation, 6-11 October 2013, Ischia, Italy (P2-69).    
12. O. Niculescu, M. M. Cazacu, M. N. Dănilă, D. G. Dimitriu, S. Gurlui, M. Agop – Magnetosphere double layers and aurora borealis. Acceleration mechanisms and instabilities, Environmental Legislation, Safety Engineering and Disaster Management (ELSEDIMA), Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 2012.    
13. S. Gurlui, O. Niculescu, D. G. Dimitriu, C. Ionita, R. Schrittwieser – Spectral investigations of two simultaneous fireballs in plasma, Physics Conference TIM-12, Timisoara, Romania, 2012.    
14. O. Niculescu, S. Gurlui, D. G. Dimitriu, C. Ionita, R. Schrittwieser – Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Nonlinear Dynamics Analysis of Two Fireballs Simultaneously Obtained in a Cold Diffusion Plasma, 31st ICPIG, July 14-19, Granada, Spain, 2013.    
15. O. Niculescu, S. Gurlui, D. G. Dimitriu, C. Ionita, R. Schrittwieser – Study on the Interaction of two Complex Plasma Structures. Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Nonlinear Dynamics Analysis, PLASMA-2013, September 2-6, Warsaw, Poland, 2013.  
16. G. Dascalu, S. Gurlui, P. Nemec, O. Pompilian, C. Focsa, Nano-, Pico- and Femto-second Laser Ablation of Pure and Rare-earth-doped Gallium Lanthanum Sulphide: A Comparative Study by Space- and Time-resolved Optical Emission Spectroscopy, International Conference on Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS 2014), 2014, Beijing, China.    
17. G. Dascalu, O. G. Pompilian, I. Mihaila, S. Gurlui, P. Hawlova, P. Nemec, V. Nazabal, C. Focsa, Pure and Rare-Earth Doped Gallium Lanthanum Sulphide Amorphous Thin Films Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition in Various Temporal Regimes, European Materials Research Society (E-MRS) Spring Meeting, E-MRS 2014, Lille, France.    
18. R. Boidin, S. Gurlui, G. Dascalu, P. Nemec, V. Nazabal, C. Focsa, Pulsed Laser Deposition of Ge-Sb-Se glasses: A plasma plume dynamics study, European Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, E-MRS 2014, Lille, France.    
19. G. Bulai, O. Caltun, S. Gurlui, M. Feder, B. Chazallon, C. Focsa, Structural and magnetic properties of rare earth doped cobalt ferrite thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition, International Conference on Thin Films, 2014, Dubrovnik, Croatia.    
20. R. Boidin, J. M. Kfoury, S. Gurlui, G. Dascalu, P. Nemec, V. Nazabal, C. Focsa, Space- and Time-Resolved Optical Emission Spectroscopy of Plasma Plume Dynamics in Laser Ablation of Ge-Sb-Se Chalcogenide Glasses, International Conference on Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS 2014), 2014, Beijing, China.    
21. G. Bulai, O. Pompilian, V. Nazabal, P. Nemec, B. Chazallon, S. Gurlui, C. Focsa, Influence of ablation conditions on the structural and optical properties of Ge-Sb-Te based thin films deposited by PLD, Electroceramics Conference, 2014, Bucharest, Romania.    
22. G. Dascalu, O. Pompilian, S. Gurlui, P. Nemec, C. Focsa, Space- and time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy of transient plasma generated by ns and fs laser ablation of Pr- and Er-doped GaLaS, European Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, E-MRS 2014, Lille, France.    
23. G. Dascalu, O. Pompilian, N. Cimpoesu, V. Nazabal, P. Nemec, P. Hawlova, B. Chazallon, S. Gurlui, C. Focsa, Improved surface structure and chemical composition of Ge-Sb-Te thin films grown by femtosecond and picosecond PLD, European Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, E-MRS 2014, Lille, France.  
24. G. Bulai, V. Nica, B. Chazallon, S. Gurlui, C. Focsa, Influence of rare earth addition on structural and magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite thin films,  EMRS Spring Meeting, 2015, Lille, France.  
25. G. Bulai, B. Chazallon, I. Dumitru, S Gurlui, C. Focsa, Influence of deposition conditions on rare earth doped cobalt ferrite thin films obtained by PLD, Conference on Laser Ablation, 2015, Cairns, Australia.  
26. G. Bulai, S. Gurlui, B. Parvatheeswara Rao, Ovidiu Florin Caltun, Alternating target laser ablation deposition of Cu doped cobalt ferrite thin films, International Conference on Magnetism, 2015, Barcelona, Spain.  
27. G. Bulai, A. Fifere, I. Dumitru, M. Pinteala, C. Focsa, S. Gurlui, Structural and magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles obtained by laser ablation in liquid, International Conference on Magnetism, 2015, Barcelona, Spain.  
28. M. Strat, N. Cimpoesu, V. Pohoata, E. Buruiana, G. Bulai, S. Gurlui, Selforganization of Nanoagregates Polyurethane Coumarins, Frontiers in Polymer Science, 2015, Riva del Garda, Italy.  
29. F. Husanu, G. Bulai, M. Pinteala, C. Focsa, S. Gurlui, Studiul nanoparticulelor de ferită de cobalt obținute prin ablație laser în lichid, Conferinta Naţionala Fizica şi Tehnologiile Educaţionale Moderne, Iași, 2015, Romania.  
30. S.A. Irimiciuc, S. Gurlui, P. Nica, M. Agop, M. Osiac, C. Focsa, Langmuir Probe Measurements on Femtosecond Laser Ablation of Several Metals, EMRS Spring Meeting, 2015, Lille, France.  
31. S.A. Irimiciuc, S. Gurlui, P. Nica, M. Agop, M. Osiac, C. Focsa, Electrical and optical investigation of plasma plumes generated by femtosecond laser ablation of various metals, The 13th Conference on Laser Ablation (COLA-2015) Cairns, Australia.  
32. S.A. Irimiciuc, S. Gurlui, P. Nica, M. Agop, M. Osiac, C. Focsa, Optical and electrical investigations of transient plasmas generated by femtosecond laser ablation, XXXII ICPIG, 2015, Iasi, Romania.  
33. B.C. Hodoroaba, S. A. Irimiciuc, G. Bulai, C. Focsa, S. Gurlui, Studiul plasmei de ferita de cobalt produsa prin ablatie laser,  FTEM, 2015, Iasi, Romania.    
34. S. Gurlui, G. Bulai, M. M. Cazacu, A. Timofte,  A. Cocean, S. Irimiciuc, V. Pelin, B. Albina, N. Cimpoesu, P. Nica, M. Agop, M. Ziskind, C. Focsa, Space-and-time-resolved spectroscopy of transitory laser ablation plasma, International EMMI Workshop in Plasma Physics at FAIR, GSI Darmstadt, July 11th-13th 2016 Workshop on Plasma Physics at FAIR.  
35.  G. Bulai, B. Chazallon, A. Popa, D. Toloman, F. Iacomi, S. Gurlui, C. Focsa, Influence of rare earth addition in cobalt ferrite thin films deposited by PLD, EMRS Spring Meeting, 2016, Lille, France.  
36. S. Irimiciuc, R. Boidin, G. Bulai, S. Gurlui, P. Nemec, V. Nazabal, C. Focsa, Laser ablation of (GeSe2)100-x(Sb2Se3)x chalcogenide glasses: Influence of the target composition on the plasma plume dynamics, EMRS Spring Meeting, 2016, Lille, France.  
37. G. Bulai, O. Pompilian, S. Gurlui, P. Nemec, V. Nazabal, N. Cimpoesu, B. Chazallon, C. Focsa, Structural and optical properties of Ge-Sb-Te chalcogenide thin films deposited by nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond laser ablation, International Conference on Physics of Advanced Materials 2016, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.  
38. S. A. Irimiciuc, B. C. Hodoroaba, S. Gurlui, M. Agop, P. Nica, C. Focsa, Space-and time-resolved Langmuir probe investigations of nanosecond laser ablation plasma plumes, International Conference on Physics of Advanced Materials 2016, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.  
39. A. Cocean, V. Pelin, M. M. Cazacu, S. Gurlui, F. Iacomi, Thermal doping effect on the limestone under laser irradiation, International Conference on Physics of Advanced Materials 2016, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.  
40. S. Gurlui, C. T. Teodorescu-Soare, D. G. Dimitriu, R. Schrittwieser, C. Ionita, Optical and electrical investigations of a complex space charge structure excited by a spherical grid cathode with hole, 27th Symposium on Plasma Physics and Technology, 2016, Prague, Czech Republic.