Ablation of metal surfaces by pulsed ultraviolet lasers under ultrahigh vacuum

A review of recent studies of ablation of metal surfaces by pulsed ultraviolet lasers under ultrahigh vacuum conditions is presented. Techniques employed include optical emission spectroscopy, time-resolved mass spectrometry, and reflectance measurements. The results are discussed in terms of optical and thermal mechanisms that could account for the observed ablation phenomena. © 1986 Optical Society of America.