Characterization of barium titanate ceramics obtained by a chemical route after laser ablation

Laser-induced ablated ceramics of BaTiO3 are characterized by SEM and EPMA analyses. The evolution of the residual carbon content is followed before and after laser ablation by the 12C(d,p)13C nuclear technique and by XPS spectroscopy under ultra high vacuum conditions. Immediately after the end of the laser ablation, carbon is analyzed in the damaged and undamaged zones of the ceramics. The diffusion of the carbon from the bulk to the surface of the ceramic increases as a function of the time so that high C concentrations are observed in the whole ceramic surface layer. In addition to XPS analyses, the chemical form of carbon is studied by Raman microprobe, LAMMA spectroscopy and TEM. Graphite species are evidenced by Raman microprobe and TEM in the soot formed during the laser ablation.