Time-resolved surface expansion of metals under picosecond laser illumination

Picosecond photothermal displacement experiments were performed to resolve the rise time of the actual surface expansion of laser-illuminated metals. A rise time of ∼100 ps was resolved for Ni, in agreement with the predictions of a hydrodynamic model. The applicability of the photothermal effect to time-resolved scanning probe microscopies is addressed.© 1995 American Institute of Physics.