The effect of embedded plasmonic gold nanoparticles on the crater morphology was studied
in 160 µm-thick UDMA–TEGDMA copolymer films irradiated by femtosecond single pulses
of a Ti:Sa laser. The plasmonic absorption of the embedded gold nanorods had a resonance
at the wavelength of the laser. It was observed that by increasing the laser intensity
the diameter of the craters decreased, while the depth of the craters increased. In
addition, the crater depths were significantly higher in the presence of gold nanorods.
A threshold intensity of 1.5·10 17 W/cm 2 has been determined, above which a doubled
roughness and sevenfold increased crater volume was observed in the polymer containing
gold nanorods.