Development of a general model for direct laser interference patterning of polymers

Abstract

This study investigates the general mechanism of Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP) involved in the structuring process of polymer materials. An empirical model is developed taking into account experimental observations of DLIP-treated pigmented and transparent polycarbonate substrates with UV (263 nm) and IR (1053 nm) laser radiation. Depending on the used laser processing conditions, the type of material as well as the spatial period of the interference pattern, four different structuring mechanisms can be identified. The treated surfaces are investigated using confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and focus ion beam and as a result from the experimental data analysis, the developed model predicts the material surface topography after the patterning process, by means of a set of material-dependent coefficients.

Design Rules for Laser‐Treated Icephobic Metallic Surfaces for Aeronautic Applications

“…[ 45 ] On the other hand, DLIP relies its principle on the overlap of multiple coherent laser beams to generate defined interference patterns within the laser beam profile and to produce features in the micro‐ and sub‐micrometer scale. [ 46 ] The method has been successfully applied for treating materials such as metals, polymers, or organic coatings [ 47,48 ] with process rates up to 0.9 m 2 min −1 . [ 31 ] A systematic analysis of the results allowed us to propose design rules for surface features that most effectively reduce the ice adhesion strength of impact ice on metallic surfaces.…”

Surface Modification of Polymers: Methods and Applications

“…Direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) has become one of the most effective techniques for texturing polymers down to the nanometer level with high quality, throughput, and flexibility . DLIP is obtained when two or more coherent laser beams interfere on the surface of a polymer and can be controlled by tuning the laser, the period, pitch, and geometry of the sample.…”

“…DLIP is obtained when two or more coherent laser beams interfere on the surface of a polymer and can be controlled by tuning the laser, the period, pitch, and geometry of the sample. DLIP has potential applications in enhancing nanorod growth, patterning graphene oxide, fabricating organic solar cells, producing microlenses, and many more . When using the DLIP method, it is extremely important to conduct experiments in controlled and identical conditions for reproducible results .…”

“…DLIP has potential applications in enhancing nanorod growth, patterning graphene oxide, fabricating organic solar cells, producing microlenses, and many more . When using the DLIP method, it is extremely important to conduct experiments in controlled and identical conditions for reproducible results . Alamri and Lasagni have demonstrated two main ablation techniques to describe the structuring process by DLIP for the transparent polycarbonate .…”

“…When using the DLIP method, it is extremely important to conduct experiments in controlled and identical conditions for reproducible results . Alamri and Lasagni have demonstrated two main ablation techniques to describe the structuring process by DLIP for the transparent polycarbonate . The polymers can be selectively modified by ablation at the maxima positions with very well‐defined patterns by large spatial periods and low laser fluences.…”