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- Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) (4) (entfernen)
Ultrafast laser processing can be used to realize various morphological surface transformations, ranging from direct contour shaping to large-area-surface functionalization via the generation of “self-ordered” micro- and nanostructures as well as their hierarchical hybrids. Irradiation with high-intensity laser pulses excites materials into extreme conditions, which then return to equilibrium through these unique surface transformations. In combination with suitable top-down or bottom-up manufacturing strategies, such laser-tailored surface morphologies open up new avenues toward the control of optical, chemical, and mechanical surface properties, featuring various technical applications especially in the fields of photovoltaics, tribology, and medicine. This article reviews recent efforts in the fundamental understanding of the formation of laser-induced surface micro- and nanostructures and discusses some of their emerging capabilities.
Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples) were generated on steel and titanium surfaces upon irradiation with multiple linear polarized femtosecond laser pulses (pulse duration 30 fs, central wavelength 790 nm). The experimental conditions (laser fluence, spatial spot overlap) were optimized in a sample-scanning geometry for the processing of large surface areas covered homogeneously by the nanostructures. The irradiated surface regions were subjected to optical microscopy (OM), white light interference microscopy (WLIM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealing sub-wavelength spatial periods. The nanostructured surfaces were tribologically tested under reciprocal sliding conditions against a sphere of hardened 100Cr6 steel at 1 Hz using paraffin oil and engine oil as lubricants. After 1000 sliding cycles at a load of 1.0 N, the corresponding wear tracks were characterized by OM and SEM. For specific conditions the laser-generated nanostructures endured the tribological treatment. Simultaneously, a significant reduction of the friction coefficient was observed in the laser-irradiated (LIPSS-covered) areas when compared to the non-irradiated surface, indicating the potential benefit of laser surface structuring for tribological applications.
The wetting behavior of material surfaces can be controlled by surface structures. We functionalized inorganic material surfaces, such as steel, titanium alloy and silicon, to modify the wetting behavior using ultrashort laser pulses (fs- to ps-range). The laser processing was performed by scanning the laser beam across the surface of initially polished flat sample material. A combined experimental and theoretical study of the laser processing parameters (peak fluence, scan velocity, line overlap) allowed the identification of different regimes associated with characteristic surface morphologies (laser-induced periodic surface structures, grooves, micro cones, dimples, etc.). Analyses of the surface using optical as well as scanning electron microscopy allowed the identification of morphologies providing the optimum similarity to the natural skin of lizards. For mimicking skin structures of moisture-harvesting lizards towards an optimization of the surface wetting behavior, additionally, a two-step laser processing strategy was established for realizing hierarchical micro- and nanostructures. In this approach, a laser-generated regular array of small dimples was superimposed (step 2) to the micron-scaled capillaries processed before (step 1). Optical focus variation imaging measurements finally revealed the three dimensional topography of the laser processed surfaces derived from lizard skin structures. The functionality of these surfaces was analyzed in view of wetting properties.
In order to address the dynamics and physical mechanisms of LIPSS formation for three different classes of materials (metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics), two-color double-fs-pulse experiments were performed on Titanium, Silicon and Fused Silica. For that purpose a Mach–Zehnder interferometer generated polarization controlled (parallel or cross-polarized) double-pulse sequences at 400 nm and 800 nm wavelength, with inter-pulse delays up to a few picoseconds. Multiple of these two-color double-pulse sequences were collinearly focused by a spherical mirror to the sample surfaces. The fluence of each individual pulse (400 nm and 800 nm) was always kept below its respective ablation threshold and only the joint action of both pulses lead to the formation of LIPSS. Their resulting characteristics (periods, areas) were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The periods along with the LIPSS orientation allow a clear identification of the pulse which dominates the energy coupling to the material. For strong absorbing materials (Silicon, Titanium), a wavelength-dependent plasmonic mechanism can explain the delay-dependence of the LIPSS. In contrast, for dielectrics (Fused Silica) the first pulse always dominates the energy deposition and LIPSS orientation, supporting a non-plasmonic formation scenario. For all materials, these two-color experiments confirm the importance of the ultrafast energy deposition stage for LIPSS formation.