Ultrafast Laser Pulses for Structuring Materials at Micro/Nano Scale: From Waveguides to Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Author(s)

Correa, Daniel S. ; Almeida, Juliana M. P. ; Almeida, Gustavo F. B. ; Cardoso, Marcos R. ; De Boni, Leonardo ; Mendonca, Cleber R.

• Document type: Review article
• Source: PHOTONICS; v. 4, n. 1 MAR 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

The current demand for fabricating optical and photonic devices displaying high performance, using low-cost and time-saving methods, prompts femtosecond (fs)-laser processing as a promising methodology. High and low repetition femtosecond lasers enable surface and/or bulk modification of distinct materials, which can be used for applications ranging from optical waveguides to superhydrophobic surfaces. Herein, some fundamental aspects of fs-laser processing of materials, as well as the basics of their most common experimental apparatuses, are introduced. A survey of results on polymer fs-laser processing, resulting in 3D waveguides, electroluminescent structures and active hybrid-microstructures for luminescence or biological microenvironments is presented. Similarly, results of fs-laser processing on glasses, gold and silicon to produce waveguides containing metallic nanoparticles, analytical chemical sensors and surface with modified features, respectively, are also described. The complexity of fs-laser micromachining involves precise control of material properties, pushing ultrafast laser processing as an advanced technique for micro/nano devices. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/12399-0 - Femtosecond pulses applied to nonlinear optics: spectroscopy, pulse shaping and microfabrication
• Grantee: Cleber Renato Mendonça
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/16789-5 - Hybrid nanostructured materials based on conjugated polymers and metallic nanoparticles for sensor applications
• Grantee: Daniel Souza Corrêa
• Support type: Regular Research Grants