Interference effects in 157 nm laser ablated cones in polycarbonate and application to spatial coherence measurement

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 95; no. 2; pp. 319 - 323
• Main Authors: Dyer, P. E., Walton, C. D., Zakaria, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.05.2009; Springer
• Subjects: Ablation; Applied sciences; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Coherence; Condensed Matter Physics; Cones; Exact sciences and technology; Interference; Invited Paper; Lasers; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials science; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Physical properties; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Polycarbonates; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Processes; Properties and testing; Radiation influence; Surfaces and Interfaces; Technology of polymers; Thin Films; 42.55.-f; 52.38.Mf; Laser beam; Surface morphology; Coherence; Conical shape; Interference; Radiation effect; Laser ablation technique; Polycarbonate; Modeling; Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-009-5102-9

Conical structures formed in 157 nm laser-ablated polycarbonate exhibit a well-defined fringe structure with a period of a few 100 nm surrounding the cone base. Experiments and modelling studies of the interference produced by these micro-conical mirrors are shown to provide a means of measuring the spatial coherence of the highly multi-mode 157 nm laser.