@article{7984adcdfb064423bbf9c0b56b0ee293,
title = "Time-resolved study of polyimide absorption layers for blister-actuated laser-induced forward transfer",
abstract = "Blister-actuated laser-induced forward transfer (BA-LIFT) is a versatile, direct-write process capable of printing high-resolution patterns from a variety of sensitive donor materials without damage to their functionality. In this work, we use time-resolved imaging to study the laser-induced formation of blisters on polyimide films in order to understand and optimize their role in BA-LIFT. We find that the initial blister expansion occurs very rapidly (<100 ns), followed by a brief oscillation (100-500 ns), and then a longer time contraction to steady-state dimensions (0.5-50 μs). This behavior is explained by kinetic and thermal effects that occur during the process. We further probe the influence of polyimide thickness, laser beam diameter, and laser fluence on blister formation characteristics. Results indicate that the presence of a thin layer of donor material on the polyimide surface does not have a significant effect on the size and shape of the blisters which form.",
author = "Brown, {Matthew S.} and Kattamis, {Nicholas T.} and Arnold, {Craig B.}",
note = "Funding Information: In summary, we present results on the dynamic formation of laser-induced blisters on polyimide films. The initial blister expansion occurs very rapidly with a velocity that depends on the polyimide film thickness and laser fluence. At the apex of its expansion , the blister takes on a pointed conical shape and then partially springs back and oscillates. This initial period of rapid expansion is responsible for the ejection of ink during BA-LIFT. This is then followed by a longer time scale contraction of blister volume, which can be attributed to cooling of the gas trapped in the blister. Several aspects of the blister dynamics, such as the velocity and the extent of overshoot and oscillation, are influenced by film thickness, indicating the potential for control of ink ejection characteristics such as velocity and angular spread of the ink during forward transfer. The results also indicate a strong dependence of blister size and shape on film thickness, laser beam diameter, and fluence, demonstrating a potential for optimization of the BA-LIFT process through the appropriate choice of these parameters. For instance, if the smallest volumes of material are to be transferred, then a small beam size should be chosen. However, if flexibility in the range of ink volumes that can be transferred without blister rupture is a priority, then a larger beam may be desired. Finally, results for blisters formed under a thin ink layer indicate that feedback from the ink during the expansion does not have a significant effect on the resulting blister size and shape. This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.",
year = "2010",
month = apr,
day = "15",
doi = "10.1063/1.3327432",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "107",
journal = "Journal of Applied Physics",
issn = "0021-8979",
publisher = "American Institute of Physics Publising LLC",
number = "8",
}