Nanostructuring of thin gold films by femtosecond lasers

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 94; no. 2; pp. 221 - 230
• Main Authors: Kuznetsov, A. I., Koch, J., Chichkov, B. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.02.2009; Springer
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Femtosecond; Gold; Lasers; Machines; Manufacturing; Materials science; Methods of nanofabrication; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanoscale pattern formation; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Processes; Rapid Communication; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; 42.62._b; 68.15._e; 42.65.Re; Thin films; Radiation effects; Gold; Field distribution; Nanopatterning; Laser pulse; Surface morphology; Laser ablation technique; Microstructure; Formation mechanism
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-008-4859-6

Novel experimental data on microstructuring of thin (60 nm) gold films by femtosecond laser pulses are presented and discussed. Material modifications are induced by different laser field distributions on the sample surface. Images of specially fabricated masks are transferred onto the gold surface with a 50× and 100× demagnifications. It is shown that, in the irradiated region of the gold film, the heated material tends to concentrate in the center. For example, a square-like field distribution on the target surface produces a cross with a jet in the middle. It is shown that this technique allows producing of a variety of microstructures with controllable nanorelief. Possible mechanisms leading to the observed material modifications as well as the resolution limits of this technique are discussed.