Subwavelength Direct Laser Nanopatterning Via Microparticle Arrays for Functionalizing Metallic Surfaces

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jean Michel Romano - , University of Birmingham (Author)
  • Rajib Ahmed - , University of Birmingham, Stanford University (Author)
  • Antonio Garcia-Giron - , University of Birmingham (Author)
  • Pavel Penchev - , University of Birmingham (Author)
  • Haider Butt - , University of Birmingham, Khalifa University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • Olivier Delléa - , French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) (Author)
  • Melissa Sikosana - , Chair of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Ralf Helbig - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Carsten Werner - , Chair of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials Dresden, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Stefan Dimov - , University of Birmingham (Author)

Abstract

Functionalized metallic nanofeatures can be selectively fabricated via ultrashort laser processing; however, the cost-effective large-area texturing, intrinsically constrained by the diffraction limit of light, remains a challenging issue. A high-intensity near-field phenomenon that takes place when irradiating microsized spheres, referred to as photonic nanojet (PN), was investigated in the transitional state between geometrical optics and dipole regime to fabricate functionalized metallic subwavelength features. Finite element simulations were performed to predict the PN focal length and beam spot size, and nanofeature formation. A systematic approach was employed to functionalize metallic surface by varying the pulse energy, focal offset, and number of pulses to fabricate controlled array of nanoholes and to study the generation of triangular and rhombic laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). Finally, large-area texturing was investigated to minimize the dry laser cleaning (DLC) effect and improve homogeneity of PN-assisted texturing. Tailored dimensions and densities of achievable surface patterns could provide hexagonal light scattering and selective optical reflectance for a specific light wavelength. Surfaces exhibited controlled wetting properties with either hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. No correlation was found between wetting and microbacterial colonization properties of textured metallic surfaces after 4 h incubation of Escherichia coli. However, an unexpected bacterial repellency was observed.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number010901
JournalJournal of Micro and Nano-Manufacturing
Volume7
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2019
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0003-0189-3448/work/161890313