Novel procedure for studying laser-surface material interactions during scanning laser ablation cleaning processes on Cu-based alloys

Laser ablation is an effective method to clean Cu-based alloys. A novel procedure of characterisation was developed involving 18O isotopes evaluated by ToF-SIMS spectroscopy to assess the driving mechanisms of laser-surface interactions. The presence of re-oxidised compounds was detected, discerning between the oxygen from the corrosion layer and the one introduced by the interaction with the laser (that was generated in a controlled atmosphere of 18O diluted in N2). A set of samples treated with different laser conditions were characterised by FESEM and μRaman. The results have shown that re-oxidation phenomenon can occur and its selectivity depends on the laser conditions.