Open Access Tools for the Simulation of Ultrashort-Pulse Laser Ablation

Abstract

A comparison is given on the simulation of laser ablation using two completely different approaches which are freely available online. Virtual Laser Laboratory (VLL) from RAS is based on a hydrodynamic code accessible online by a graphical user interface. Simulations on laser ablation, based on the Two-Temperature-Model (TTM) are carried out rapidly allowing for extended parameter studies. On the other hand, IMD from FMQ is an open source code for molecular dynamics for a wide range of applications in solid state physics including laser ablation. Laser material heating is supported in two ways, either by simple energy rescaling of the material (RES model) or by usage of the TTM which is implemented as well. Simulation results from VLL and IMD for laser heating, melting and ablation of aluminum by ultrashort laser pulses are compared and discussed with respect to density and temperature distributions, phase transitions, plume propagation and ionization. Simulation performance is evaluated and limitations with respect to optical parameters, especially pulse length scaling, and sample dimensionality are discussed.