9601800 Pedraza A laser deposition and processing system consisting of a high- energy, high-repetition pulsed excimer laser and a processing/deposition chamber will be established at the University of Tennessee. Continuing and new research activities supported by this acquisition include fundamental studies of pulsed laser processing of ceramics and metal-semiconductor couples; pulsed laser deposition and bonding of bioceramics to metal alloys; photothermal and photochemical mechanisms for laser activation and encapsulation; and synthesis of super-hard materials using energetic laser ablation. The combination of the laser and processing/deposition chamber will enhance presently aging and outdated capabilities by permitting depositions to be carried out quickly; by making possible combinations of film depositions and in-situ laser processing that are currently inaccessible; and by facilitating investigations at elevated substrate temperatures. %%% The research instrumentation will be used to support important materials research in the area of pulsed laser processing of metals and ceramics; to broaden this research by providing new experimental capabilities not currently available at the university; and to facilitate inter-departmental and inter- laboratory research collaborations within the University of Tennessee and with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. ***
