Generation of periodic nanostructures in polymer surfaces

A potential application of polymer laser ablation concerns the propulsion of small satellites (1-10 kg) used in space science [86]. Laser plasma thrusters, LPTs, operating with small, powerful diode lasers emitting in the near-infrared wavelength range (930-980 nm) have been proposed. Polymers intended to serve as fuel for a thruster are required to possess a large momentum coupling coefficient, C, defined by Eq. (9-3)  

mAv is the target momentum of the laser-ejected material, and W is the energy absorbed by the polymer per laser pulse. The triazene polymer (TC poly- 

---