Laser‐Induced Shockwaves as a Rapid and Non‐Contact Technique for 2D Patterning of Colloidal Monolayer Crystals

Abstract

A novel approach is reported that harnesses laser‐induced shockwave spallation technique to selectively remove clusters of polystyrene (PS) microspheres from close‐packed monolayers for the creation of 2D colloidal micropatterns. The strategic design of the layer structure by incorporating a thin layer of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) on top of the PS monolayer enables the complete delamination of PS particle clusters. Its use is demonstrated for creating different sizes of circular microscale spallation patterns by regulating the tensile force of the shockwave with laser fluence adjustments. To further control the diameter of the spallation pattern, various shadow masks are utilized to tune the shockwave generation region. The finding reveals that both PVA thickness and spallation force play key roles in adjusting cluster spallation size with complete removal. The study highlights the potential of laser spallation techniques as a rapid and non‐contact method for 2D colloidal crystal patterning by leveraging spatially regulated shockwave spallation forces.