Plasmonic nature of periodic surface structures following single laser pulse irradiation

TL;DR

This study experimentally observes and models the formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures on gold surfaces after a single femtosecond laser pulse, highlighting surface plasmon polaritons and material reorganization as key mechanisms.

Contribution

It provides the first direct experimental evidence and a supporting hybrid model for single-pulse LIPSS formation on gold, emphasizing plasmonic effects and reorganization processes.

Findings

LIPSS form near predesigned gold step edges after single femtosecond pulse.

Surface plasmon polaritons are excited during LIPSS formation.

Material reorganization contributes to the structuring process.

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms and controlling the possibilities of surface nanostructuring is of crucial interest from fundamental and practical perspectives. Here we report a direct experimental observation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) formed near a predesigned gold step edge following single-pulse femtosecond laser irradiation. A hybrid atomistic-continuum model fully supports experimental observations. We identify two key components of single-pulse LIPSS formation: excitation of surface plasmon polaritons and material reorganization. Our results lay the foundation towards simple and efficient single laser pulse micromachining.