Laser polarization-assisted diffusion for modifying electromagnetic properties of metals

Abstract

Laser diffusion has previously been studied to incorporate dopants in semiconductors and to carburize steel for surface hardening without melting the substrate, among others. The optical and electromagnetic properties of materials can also be modified by this diffusion method to tailor the material response at different frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum. Platinum atoms have been diffused into titanium and tantalum sheets by a laser chemical vapor diffusion method using a metallorganic compound of platinum and laser beams of different polarizations. Thermal decomposition of the precursor at the laser-heated spot on the surface of the substrate generates platinum atoms that diffuse into the substrate, producing laser-platinized samples. The transmittances of the samples are determined by measuring the strength of the transmitted magnetic field oscillating at 63.86 MHz. The laser-platinized samples produced by linearly polarized lasers exhibit higher transmittances than the samples obtained by using azimuthally polarized lasers. • A laser chemical vapor diffusion process is presented for surface modification. • It enables tailoring electromagnetic properties using metallorganic precursors. • Laser polarization affects the diffusion process. • Linear polarization causes more diffusion than azimuthal polarization.