Previous studies on laser-assisted nanomaterial formation in liquids have focused on using pulsed laser ablation of metals.
We report, for the first time to our knowledge, the fabrication of nanoparticles via high-power high-brightness continuous-wave
fiber laser ablation of titanium in liquids. Analysis revealed the generation of spherical nanoparticles of titanium-oxide
ranging mainly between 5 nm and 60 nm in diameter. A mechanism of formation for crystallized nanoparticles, based on the self-organized
pulsations of the evaporated metal, is proposed. This may account for the observed substantial efficiency gain owing to the
high average power and brightness of the source.
PACS 42.62.-b; 81.07.-b; 52.50.-b; 47.20.-k; 45.55.-t