Temperature dynamics of laser irradiated gold nanoparticles embedded in a polymer matrix

•Temperature of nanosecond pulsed laser irradiated gold nanoparticles is modeled.•A single and an ensemble of gold nanoparticles are embedded in a polymer matrix.•Temperature distribution in time and space is numerically investigated.•System’s temperature is influenced by the gold nanoparticles size and arrangement.•The time for reaching the thermal equilibrium is determined.