Growth of titanium oxynitride layers by short pulsed Nd:YAG laser treatment of Ti plates: Influence of the cumulated laser fluence

Titanium oxynitride layers were formed by surface laser treatment of Ti plates in air using a Nd:YAG laser source of short pulse duration about 5 ns. The cumulated laser fluence was varied in the 100–1200 J cm −2 range and its influence on the composition and the structure of the formed layers was studied by different characterization techniques providing physico-chemical and structural information. It was shown that the laser treatment induces the insertion of light elements as O, N and C in the formed layer with the amount increasing with the laser fluence. The in-depth composition of the layers and the co-existence of different phases were also studied. The way in which the laser parameters such as fluence affect the insertion of nitrogen and oxygen was discussed in connection with the effects of the plasma plume formed above the target.