LIPSS Applied to Wide Bandgap Semiconductors and Dielectrics: Assessment and Future Perspectives

Abstract

With the aim of presenting the processes governing the Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS), its main theoretical models have been reported. More emphasis is given to those suitable for clarifying the experimental structures observed on the surface of wide bandgap semiconductors (WBS) and dielectric materials. The role played by radiation surface electromagnetic waves as well as Surface Plasmon Polaritons in determining both Low and High Spatial Frequency LIPSS is briefly discussed, together with some experimental evidence. Non-conventional techniques for LIPSS formation are concisely introduced to point out the high technical possibility of enhancing the homogeneity of surface structures as well as tuning the electronic properties driven by point defects induced in WBS. Among these, double- or multiple-fs-pulse irradiations are shown to be suitable for providing further insight into the LIPSS process together with fine control on the formed surface structures. Modifications occurring by LIPSS on surfaces of WBS and dielectrics display high potentialities for their cross-cutting technological features and wide applications in which the main surface and electronic properties can be engineered. By these assessments, the employment of such nanostructured materials in innovative devices could be envisaged.

Enhanced and Selective Absorption of Molybdenum Nanostructured Surfaces for Concentrated Solar Energy Applications

“…Irradiation of solid targets with linearly polarized ultrashort laser pulses can, in fact, lead to the formation of periodic surface structures, the geometrical properties of which are directly dependent on the interested material nature and the electromagnetic properties of the impinging laser beam. Such structures, defined as Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) [ 8 ], can thus be fabricated with different geometrical patterns and periodicity in order to modify and functionalize surface properties of solids (from metals [ 9 ] to wide-bandgap semiconductors [ 10 ]) without having to use aggressive and time-consuming techniques, such as chemical processing or optical and/or electronic lithography.…”

Low spatial frequency laser-induced periodic surface structures in fused silica inscribed by widely tunable femtosecond laser pulses

“…Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) spontaneously emerging from irradiation of solid-state materials with repetitive femtosecond laser pulses attract great scientific and technological interest and offer new perspectives for laser material processing 1 – 8 . These structures arise from permanent material modifications due to complex light-driven material reorganization, whose key features, such as topography, periodicity and orientation, are functions of material properties, irradiation geometry, laser wavelength, polarization state, peak fluence, and number of pulses.…”

Manipulation of Subwavelength Periodic Structures Formation on 4H-SiC Surface with Three Temporally Delayed Femtosecond Laser Irradiations

“…In general, 1D ripple structures often present two features: high spatial frequency (HSF) and low spatial frequency (LSF). Additionally, the switching from LSF to HSF cases can be tuned by a single laser pulse irradiation on semiconductors and dielectrics [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], but its controlling flexibility is very poor, which is mainly manifested as a self-organizing behavior. To expand the scope of surface functionalizations for multidisciplinary applications, some attempts have been made to fabricate two-dimensional (2D) LIPSSs, which mainly use either the double exposure with two laser beam interference or the single exposure with multi-beam interference [ 19 , 20 ].…”