Abstract
The chemical structure of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) surfaces modified by the irradiation of a KrF laser pulse are investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A decrease in oxygen-to-carbon atomic ratio and a change in bonding environment are induced by laser irradiation with a single laser pulse. The ablation is observed at fluences greater than ∼90 mJ/cm2. The observed features along the depth of a created surface are discussed in terms of preferential removal of carboxylic groups in PET molecules and surface oxidation after ablation.