Surface morphologies at nanometric scale by temporal and polarization control of ultrashort laser pulses
Abstract
Ultrafast-laser irradiated surface is a typical paragon of a self-organizing system, which emerge and organize complex micropatterns and even nanopatterns. An astounding exhibition of dissipative structures consists of various types of randomly and periodically generated nanostructures that originate from a homogeneous metal surface. The formation of nanopeaks, nanobumps, nanohumps and nanocavities patterns with 20–80 nm transverse size unit and up to 100 nm height are reported under femtosecond laser irradiation with a regulated energy dose. We shed the light on the originality of the nanopeaks, having an exceptional aspect ratio on the nanoscale. They are primarily generated on the crests grown between the convective cells formed on the very first pulses. The production of these distinct nanostructures can enable unique surface functionalizations toward the control of mechanical, biomedical, optical, or chemical surface properties on a nanometric scale.