Influence of laser-induced breakdown on the fragmentation of gold nanoparticles in water

The process of fragmentation of gold nanoparticles in water exposed to nanosecond IR laser radiation (1060 – 1070 nm) is studied. The behaviour of the size distribution and extinction spectrum of nanoparticles is investigated at different experimental parameters. The dependences of the size distribution maximum position and distribution width on the laser pulse duration and the corresponding characteristics of the laser plasma, arising on the nanoparticles, are analysed. The results are explained by the plasma influence on the laser radiation absorption by the colloidal solution.