"Atomistic simulations of ultrafast laser-irradiated nanoporous silica glass" by Aram Yedigaryan

Seminar by Aram Yedigaryan, Laboratoire Hubert Curien

Abstract

This seminar presents a computational investigation of laser-induced structural transformations in porous silica glass. Using a multiscale modeling framework that combines molecular dynamics (MD), the two-temperature model (TTM), and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, the work explores how ultrafast laser energy is absorbed, redistributed, and converted into permanent structural modifications. The formation of high-pressure silica polymorphs under laser irradiation is examined and compared with phase transitions obtained through conventional thermodynamic pathways. The presented results provide insight into the interplay between porosity, energy deposition, and structural evolution in silica, contributing to a deeper understanding of ultrafast laser-matter interactions and supporting the development of advanced laser processing techniques for photonic applications.

Silica glass is one of the most important materials in modern photonics, serving as the foundation for optical fibers, integrated photonic devices, and high-power laser systems. Despite its widespread use, the microscopic mechanisms governing its response to ultrafast laser irradiation remain incompletely understood, particularly in the presence of structural inhomogeneities such as nanopores and defects.

This seminar will be held in english