Femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structure on diamond film

Abstract

We report the laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) with periodicity about a quarter of the laser wavelength on unpolished diamond film treated by a P-polarized femtosecond laser. The short period LIPSS is parallel to the laser polarization and independent on the incidence angle. The LIPSS perpendicular to the laser polarization with periodicity shorter than a third of the laser wavelength slightly dependent on the incidence angle is also observed as well as the LIPSS perpendicular to the laser polarization with periodicity dependent on the incidence angle. The results are explained by interference of the incident laser and surface scattered wave related to the excited electrons during laser interactions with diamond, being in excellent agreement with a previously developed theory.

Laser-induced periodic surface structures: Fingerprints of light localization

“…5 In comparison, type d have been rarely investigated. 12,19,23 The reason for this is that LIPSSs matching these periodicities have not been observed until the application of pico-and subpicosecond lasers.…”

“…However, the η theory predicts the presence of features which could explain the HSFLs parallel to the polarization. 12,19,23 HSFL is not the only phenomenon which renewed the interest in LIPSSs. For example, with the use of picosecond and femtosecond lasers, LSFLs with a periodicity smaller than the laser wavelength have been observed on different materials.…”

“…These are often referred to as high spatial frequency LIPSSs (HSFLs), and as for LSFLs, they were observed on metals, 18,20 semiconductors, [7][8][9][10][11][12]16,17 and dielectrics as well. [13][14][15]19 The influence of polarization, angle of incidence, and wavelength of a laser beam on LSFL formation strongly indicates that the phenomenon is mainly governed by the electromagnetic field. Emmony et al suggested in 1973 that LSFLs were a consequence of interference between the incident laser beam and surface-scattered waves.…”

“…Ripples having these properties can be produced with either cw lasers or pulsed lasers and are usually referred to as low spatial frequency LIPSSs (LSFLs). Ripples which are either orthogonal [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] or parallel [16][17][18][19] to the polarization, with a periodicity significantly smaller than the laser light, have been observed for laser pulse durations in the picosecond and femtosecond regime. These are often referred to as high spatial frequency LIPSSs (HSFLs), and as for LSFLs, they were observed on metals, 18,20 semiconductors, [7][8][9][10][11][12]16,17 and dielectrics as well.…”

“…12,19,23 It must be noted that the η theory was created to explain LIPSS formation at a time when HSFLs had not yet been observed. However, the η theory predicts the presence of features which could explain the HSFLs parallel to the polarization.…”