Abstract
We have investigated the dynamics of amorphization induced in phase-change optical recording media by focused laser pulses of subnanosecond duration. We initiated localized amorphism by using a focused laser beam to melt the phase-change material and completed the change by rapid cooling by means of thermal diffusion. These studies were conducted by use of real-time reflectivity measurements with a pump-and-probe technique in which both pump and probe pulses had a duration of ∼510 ps. Our transient-reflectivity measurements indicate that the process that leads to amorphism has three distinct stages, namely, rapid melting, solidification, and slow relaxation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4367-4375 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Applied optics |
Volume | 43 |
Issue number | 22 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1 2004 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
- Engineering (miscellaneous)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering