Ultrashort laser induced spatial redistribution of silver species and nano-patterning of etching selectivity in silver-containing glasses.

Y Petit,L Canioni,T Cardinal,G Duchateau,E Smetanina,J.-M Mok,S.-H Park,B Chimier,C.-H Park

doi:10.1364/oe.27.013675

Abstract

Femtosecond laser-induced spatial redistribution of silver species (ions, clusters, and hole centers) in a silver-containing phosphate glass is investigated by correlative means of near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) images, numerical simulations, chemical micro-probe analysis, and nanoscale spatial profiles after soft etching. In particular, we found that the chemical etching selectivity for nanoscale patterning is strongly dependent upon the irradiation of femtosecond laser due to the spatial redistribution of silver species within the affected area. These results strongly indicate that controlling the distribution of silver species by femtosecond laser irradiation may open new routes for surface nanoscale chemical and/or spatial patterning for the fabrication of 2D surface photonic crystals.

Highlights

Femtosecond laser modification technology of materials has made tremendous progress over the past decade, to access a large panel of applications that require special optical, physical and/or chemical properties associated with integrated bulk or surface functionalities [1]
We present the correlative description of fs laser-induced spatial redistribution of silver species of our photosensitive silver-containing phosphate glasses, based on near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) images, chemical micro-probe analysis, spatial profile after soft etching, and numerical simulations of the silver species redistribution
To confocal fluorescent imaging, NSOM shows the clear annular distribution of silver clusters, the larger fluorescence pedestal coming from the concomitant excitation and fluorescence collection from planes below surface

Summary

Introduction

Femtosecond (fs) laser modification technology of materials has made tremendous progress over the past decade, to access a large panel of applications that require special optical, physical and/or chemical properties associated with integrated bulk or surface functionalities [1]. We present the correlative description of fs laser-induced spatial redistribution of silver species of our photosensitive silver-containing phosphate glasses, based on near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) images, chemical micro-probe analysis, spatial profile after soft etching, and numerical simulations of the silver species redistribution.

Results

Conclusion