A model for nanoparticles synthesis by pulsed laser evaporation

A one-dimensional model of nanoscale particle formation by the exposure of solid targets to millisecond laser pulses of about 10(4)-10(5) W cm(-2) energy density Bur is proposed. A 'soft' regime of vapour diffusion from a laser-heated surface into an ambient atmosphere is studied. Laser flux is presumed to be relatively low so that the surface temperature does not exceed the boiling point. Heat transport in the solid, liquid and gas phases, and evaporation and vapour diffusion in ambient atmosphere are analysed. The nuclei formation and growth rates are estimated and size distributions of synthesized nanoparticles are found. The influence of operating conditions, such as ambient gas pressure, laser pulse duration and properties of target material, on mean particle size is studied.